A change of fortune

Ann shared with us her “String of Bad Luck” story last week… today she continues it with another piece.  

I was in a meeting but took Leon’s call because it would end two weeks of worry that started when his visa application was turned down by the French embassy.

Leon is a South African born permanent resident of Australia. We went to America together a couple of years ago and his visa then was simply an online application, an interview at the US embassy and done. We were expecting the same for Europe but it was not to be.

My dream trip is in jeopardy.

Theoretically, we’re going to London, France and Spain. We’ve planned and booked everything ourselves online, without a travel agent or organised tours. Our research has been Lonely Planet books, various brochures and guides, and my long-cherished dream to go to Paris, the birthplace impressionist painting and Giverny, Monet’s home and the garden inspiration for his famous waterlily paintings.

We are starting with a week in London – no problem for either of us entering the mother country, half their cricket team are South African too! I have both an Aussie and a UK passport but Leon needs a Shengan visa to go anywhere in continental Europe.

Leon has to apply for his visa from the first European country he’s landing in. So, since the French declined him he has changed plans, booked a flight from London to Barcelona and hotels in various Spanish places. However, I had already booked and paid for the train from London to Paris, Paris to Reims and the TGV down to Avignon in the south of France and all our accommodation along the way before the Spanish leg of the trip. I could cancel the hotels but the trains are over $1000.00 worth of special over-sixties, non-refundable tickets!

After the French knock-back on the visa, a Spanish application is plan B. Plan C is vague and unsatisfactory, “let’s cross that bridge if we come to it.” Pity Leon’s not an international-class cricket player, maybe he could get a fast-tracked Aussie citizenship and passport!

Leon’s voice suggests the interview at the Spanish embassy did not go well. My heart sinks. The seconds drag on. “What happened?” He hasn’t actually said … then I realise he’s playing with me. Leon has his visa! It took just five minutes with a sunny, smiling lady at the Spanish embassy. We’re back on track! The trip is all systems go and as my Dad is back in a regular ward after a stint in intensive care following his surgery, I should be able to take my dream holiday.

image: thatmelgirl