US Embassy Suites

Official state department travel warnings often encourage you to register with the embassy in each country you visit. I'm sure some people do it. And I imagine you do if you're working abroad, or have a specialty visa. I, personally, have never visited one in my travels. Likewise, in the unfortunate event of your passport being lost or stolen, you have to visit your respective embassy for replacement documents. Thankfully, in this case, I have not had to visit. Fingers crossed.

Today, my mom and I went to the US Embassy here in Singapore to add pages to her passport. Certain countries require no more than room sufficient for a small entry and exit stamp. You can visit three countries and not even fill up one page. Other countries, like Indonesia, require a full page for the entry visa, plus room for the exit stamp, and won't allow you entry without the proper space. We're headed to Indonesia in a few days, hence the need for the pages.

As luck would have it, we chose to visit the embassy on the day the embassy opted to change its policies. Be warned: what used to take 45 minutes now takes two days! While a pain, I can only imagine what the wait must be at other embassies and for other countries. All things considered, a two day wait is nothing compared to the years it can take others to reach a desired destination in the first place. Still, as we've got it so good, we expect such rights, such service. I've been told since a kid that I could do anything, be anything. Opportunity coupled with a positive outlook doesn't lend much favor to the word "no." And with no notification listed, either on the internet or in the embassy itself, patience in the waiting room grew thin. The embassy could join up with the Embassy Suites Hotel, and start a joint hotel and passport service. Check into your room, drop your passport in the room safe, request the necessary services, run down to the bar for happy hour. The next day check out with souvenirs from the hotel gift shop, your passport done. It's a thought...Upon finally being called to the appropriate room, complaints about the wait ended with discussions of letters to Senators!

After the embassy, we headed to the Raffles for tea. This place gets some business! June, another friend of my parents, and her husband are also moving from Singapore on their way home to Boulder. Best of luck!