A Hard-won Visa

New York
April 22, 2019

I have had a long-standing dream that entails traveling from Pakistan to Afghanistan to Turkmenistan and then across the Caspian Sea into Azerbaijan. Not the easiest places to travel in, and therein lies part of the attraction. But neither is it the easiest to get visas. But mulish stubbornness is a trait I come by honestly, and the first inkling that this may happen this year, is the Pakistani visa that I got a couple of weeks ago. Issued after haranguing the consulate staff in New York and pestering the agency in Pakistan for the better part of three years. Let’s just say it was a work in progress. But success at long last, and just in time.
Shivers of excitement run up my spine every now and then. Every so often I skip a little when walking and a goofy grin spreads across my face at the very thought of this summer. This may, just may be happening this year. Woo hoo! Lots to plan yet and lots to do before I leave at the end of May. Not to mention a seemingly insurmountable work load that needs to get done before I leave. But, it will get done and soon I will be off. It may be that I manage all of this dream or it may be parts….time will tell. Stay tuned.