OOOps! Im leaving!.....

Its been a hurl of a year, and one to make me let go of just about everything from a-z! Now as the year closes, it seems I have to surrender and trust even more, because now ive suddenly been forced to leaving my home for an unknown amount of time. Oh you didn't think i meant Steem did you!? That will only happen when the Internet goes down!

For the least 10 years I have been VERY lucky to get a new Voluntary Employment visa in India without any troubles, and by now I am ( I should say was) an expert at the entire lengthy, beaurocratic nightmare that it is out here! I could do in three hours what used to take about 40 hours and hey presto, visa sorted!

This year things have changed! To be fair to the Indian Visa Services they have basically 'MODERNISED' their entire system of paperwork, long journeys, and meetings and approvals. The whole thing was a joke, and must have cost the Indian Government a small fortune.. We USED to submit 4 hard copies of a 40 page application!

SO this year I have hit a glitch, fallen down an invisible hole you might say.. or stuck in an infinite loop with an invisible person who keeps asking for the same thing!

"Please Provide the FCRA Number" They keep asking in a message that cannot be answered. Since we dont have one I have done by best to explain this by uploading letters explaining it. There is no one to call or even message, we can just upload documents and get approved or denied. The shame is they dont provide sample documents or much advice or help, and many people just get screwed.

This modernisation thing REALLY needs to be done properly. We cant totally remove the human element from such important things.. It looks to me that the FRO have gone from one extreme to the other now! Well, it is what it is, and one day I may have to make a website dedicated to providing the right advice and information for clueless people who have their lives turned upside down purely due to bureaucracy!

ANyways, It looks like I am on a forced holiday to Thailand now.. I am doing my best to keep it positive, but I do feel like i just had my grounding pulled from underneath me.. if i am LUCKY i will get this visa whilst im away and can easily return.. OTHERWISE.. well watch this space!

Wish me luck, send good vibes.. comment something nice .. i could sure use some support today as I pack up and bid farewell (hopefully temporarily) to Earthship Karuna and India!.. so if im a bit quiet right now, this is why!