High Class with Low Self Esteem

Well, there is no more humbling experience than to be at the mercy of a Russian consulate.

I am typing this both from the business lounge at Moscow Terminal 1 and the business section of my Belavia flight to Minsk. I will have to say, caviar and wine on a flight are pretty sweet.

However, I know when I land that I will spend every waking (and probably many sleeping) moment trying to get a new Russian visa. I know it is possible in the States and in Scotland, but I am not so sure 24 hour processing with a faxed invitation letter is possible here.

However, the tour company I had pick me up from the airport and supply my necessary Bellorussian visa paperwork "BSP"... has agreed to help me with translating and explaining my situation to the Russian consulate on Monday. If they are able to help me get this done they are gods and I will forever be indebted to them. It turns out, that after I looked closely at my Minsk map, the Russian consulate is just down the street from me. The "BSP" people are going to go there with me Monday morning, and with any luck I may have another Russian visa by Tuesday... but luck has not been on my side thus far.

I will know more of the requirements after I look everything up on the web tonight. I think there is free wifi in my hotel lobby, right next to the casino/nightclub in my hotel.

................................

I am in the hotel now... And it costs a bit less than a trashy motel in the states, but is much nicer than a trashy motel.

Stay tuned for more updates, as I should know more about my messed up situation in the morning... I hope!

- The Dues