Friday, February 27, 2009

Unfortunate Source of Aggravation

So ...

1. The customs department in Ohio still has my camera "on hold" (today makes it seven days there in Ohio), for mysterious reasons that cannot yet be explained to me, to the courier offices here or to Jane (who I'm beginning to think is a robot programmed to send standard responses to customer emails).

Subsequent to writing that paragraph, I called the couriers and was told that US customs can sometimes hold a package for as long as a few months without even giving a reason! It is not in the couriers' hands and it is experienced from time to time 'depending on the package'. When I asked it my package can at least be sent back to me, I was told that it would have to be "released" ... and even that could take months if customs felt like it. But ... it's SUPPOSED to be released on Monday. We wait in hope.

And even if I wanted to go up and personally collect and deliver my package myself, I couldn't because ...

2. This morning I am denied renewal of my Visa for travel to "The Land of Opportunity" because (quote from one-page document given to me after rejection): "... you have not demonstrated sufficiently strong family, social or economic ties to your country to ensure that your stay in the United States would be temporary." (unquote)

Seeing that we all want to go and live there ...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

man i'd scoff too if i didn't know so many people who skipped illegally...

still prior travel history should account for something... time to get some connections girl...

thebookmann said...

Dear Elspeth,

Do you realize that the ordeal began at the stage of sending it off. And the fuss and haste you made over the package.

I think it is the type of package that is causing the suspicion and of your words - Do they think is a bomb ????

And did you follow your inner voice to think when the man at the courier said he was dissatisfied with their service?

Why did you follow through?

Be calm, direct but careful with your thoughts and take responsibility for it.

Regards,
thebookmann