Czeck Visa - May 28, 2004

Its amazing how difficult it is for you to travel just because of the color of your skin or the nationality of your passport and not because of the grey matter in your cranium, or your contribution to world peace, or even your 'tiny' contribution to the good of the disadvantaged, marginalised persons living in the so called "third world" - a term used to depict those who do not (and should not) have access to so called "first world"/developed countries.

I live in Dakar, Senegal, a beautiful town in West Africa. I sought a Czech visa for a meeting that would last one week in Prague. I looked forward to the trip. Not because I have the time to explore the ancient city with all its history and success story but more because I cannot avoid escaping my work, which had to be done in order that I might be able to trudge along life's daily trail. The thought of defecting does not come within the vicinity of my thoughts. "How would I survive in a non-English (or French) speaking country?"

4000 Euros later (paid as security that I will return, excluding other visa fees and daily cost in time and money of visiting the embassy in Dakar for 14 days) I got a visa that allows me 7 days stay, single entry with the specific instruction that I must leave on completion of the 7th day! "Should you happen to need medical attention, please ensure you go to the immigration police and only then can you extend your stay!"

Go figure! I'd probably need to crawl all the way to the next immigration post should a bug strike!

One out of many!

I pray the ease with which my security deposit was paid would be reciprocated on return. Alas! I was warned, "no one else can pick this on your behalf. You must come yourself." I hope to stay alive if only to pick up my deposit!

Now I wonder who defects! My money or me?