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Friday, April 29, 2011

Enter: Monkey Wrench

Last year it was the Russian Embassy and this year it's the utterly vague and totally-confusing-to-locate-even-with-today's-Googling "Embassy of Pakistan--Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran." I have to apparently work through the Pakistani embassy since the Iranian embassy is no longer allowed in the U.S. Oh yeah, and yes: I am a moron. My Iranian passport is totally expired. I am such a dunce. All this time, I've been sitting on my ass, waiting for this thing or that thing to come through (getting in contact with my father's uncle's family, figuring out when I could stay at my mom's sister's house based on her husband's chemo schedule, then waiting for The Company to tell me when I was required to go to London for work). I thought I had it ALL figured out when, today, my boss finally told me the date they need me in London. Now, FINALLY, all the pieces were in place! I could purchase my tickets! I figured I'd extend the ticket to London and fly to Iran roundtrip from there so that way I save half the cost (plus, way more airlines fly to Tehran from London which hasn't totally cut ties with Iran like the U.S.). All that time, I just assumed my Iranian passport was up to date. Why would I assume such a silly thing when the last time I went to Iran was six years ago?! I am SUCH A MORON. It expired in 2008. (By the way, even though I was born in Seattle and I am an American citizen, I still get an Iranian passport because my father was born in Iran--so whenever I travel there, I use my U.S. passport to the layover country, and I use my Iranian passport to get into the country.)

So now begins another wild foreign travel odyssey. Not. Again.


Friday, April 22, 2011

Preparation

Thick gold chain necklaces, dainty silver pendents, name-brand lip-gloss in various fruity colors, music video DVDs... These are just a few of the things that I purchased this weekend as part of the mini treasure trove of "gifts from abroad" that I'll be toting to Iran. I heard they don't check suitcases at the airport anymore like they used to do, so I'm hoping they won't confiscate the music video DVDs at the airport because the people I will give them to will be SO happy (they are super expensive on the black market there). I have thought of every detail, of every gift. I've bought a headscarf. I have a packing list. I've considered whether peep-toe heels would get me arrested or whether wearing boots would be too hot for the season. All I don't have is... a ticket.