Finally, we have liftoff
I have finally received my passport with Visa attached!
It was quite an experience. The immigration consultant called me this morning to inform me that the DS2019 had arrived from Boston. I signed the form and she took it in to the consulate which meant I could have left today (Monday) instead of Wednesday as we previously had thought.
So, I scrambled to get a flight for today confirmed, but it became more and more apparent that it was near to impossible to make it from the consulate at 2:30pm (when they give back your passport) to the airport at 2:55pm (the required 3 hours prior to my booked flight).
So, I am now scheduled to leave at 5:55pm on Tuesday 18th July. This time, it looks like I will actually be leaving! For those of you who are really interested, a copy of my itinerary is below. I checked it very carefully this time because one of the previous versions had me ending up in Houston!
Tuesday, 18th July 05:55 p.m.
Depart Auckland Airport, Terminal I on Qantas
Flight QF25 (Boeing 747-400)
Economy class seating
Flying Time: 11 hours 50 minutes
10:45 a.m.
Arrive Los Angeles Airport, Terminal 4
02:30 p.m.
Depart Los Angeles Airport, Terminal 7 on United Airlines
Flight UA448 (Airbus A320)
Economy class seating
Flying Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
05:48 p.m.
Arrive Denver Airport
06:35 p.m.
Depart Denver Airport on United Airlines
Flight UA548 (Airbus Industrie A319)
Economy class seating
Flying Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
09:24 p.m.
Arrive Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, Terminal B
July 18th, 2006 at 12:10 am
Stopover in Denver, eh?
Rocky mountain hiiiiigh!
July 18th, 2006 at 12:25 am
At last you are on your way Boykie. Now you can start planning your future. Remember we are with you all the way.
Love you sweet.
Look after yourself and keep in touch with us when ever you can.
XX
July 18th, 2006 at 5:50 am
Hi Stephen
Now all the hard work and paperwork you been doing and filling in over the last few months came to an end and now it is paying off at the end.
Well done Stephen on another achievement what you have reach in your life!!!
It’s hard to see you go BUT we know the LORD is with you.
Stay in touch when ever you can.
Pleaaase send us some photo’s later on when you are more stable and settled in on the other side of the world!!! Thanks, Steve!!!
REGARDS
DAD, CORNELIA, JOHN & JANE
July 18th, 2006 at 5:56 am
Hi Stephen
Sorry, I forgot to say:- “You looking good on your VISA photo”!!!
REGARDS
CORNELIA
July 18th, 2006 at 6:15 am
Hi Stephen
Sorry for being a BIG pain!!!
The clock/time on your side is wrong, if you can please fix it when ever you have time.
I posted my first message in this section 4:50 am AND my second message 4:55pm AND NOT 5:50 am & 5:56 am!!!
Thanks a bunch!!!
REGARDS
CORNELIA
July 18th, 2006 at 7:10 am
You are obviously not worried about identity theft eh…
July 18th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Good luck to you. And if it is convinient when your half way to LA ( any time mid flight preferably early morning) would you mind asking your Steward\Stewardess what time the BBQ starts.
Say Hi to Dean for me.
Gary
July 18th, 2006 at 11:56 am
I fuzzled out the sensitive bits ^^
July 18th, 2006 at 11:58 am
Looks like it could be a daylight savings issue, I’ll look into it
July 18th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
*grins*
July 20th, 2006 at 6:53 am
Obviously I am here a little late. But good to catch up with you last night.
Yeah, I was wondering about you putting your visa on here but anyways
Oh, I think if you haven’t got a social security number, they will be sorting that out today or tomorrow. Let me know if it’s improved from a little piece of paper that you could so easily lose, or tear.. Or you’d have to learn to keep it in one piece for the next 18 months.
Take care!