La Turquie, je t'aime!!

I idly surfed the French consulate's Web site. Click here, click there. No help. All information, no invitation. I twisted in anger when thinking how easy it was to 'compete globally' with an American passport. Turks were clearly not wanted in the EU. What's this "contact us" link. Vous etes uncontactable!! You understand? I clicked by habit, not out of faith. Scroll, scroll, see if there is anything nouveau. Press and communication office - how in-te-rest-ing...if anyone picks up the phone, it will be these guys. I called with one ear on the receiver, the other on the desk. I was tired of hearing the same automated answering machine for the past five days. Oh-la-la, someone picked up. Yes, you'll help me? Because you understand I need to do my job? That's the fax for the visa chief? Merci beaucoup. Milles mercis.

I typed up the fax in a haste, begging, crying, pleading for a visa. Two days later, my office phone rang. An amusing voice, uttering a mix of Turkish and French:
"Allow? Vous-etes Mimi? Nasilsiniz? Hah haa haa!"
Hah haa indeed, how did he speak Turkish? Was this a prank?
No joke, the chief of the visa section had served many years in Istanbul. He was not only fluent in Turkish, but also shared a passion for the country and its people.
"Wednesday, 9AM. Venez-ici and we will see."
Ah, la Turquie - je t'aime! My people, my country, saved me again. No matter what the political restrictions might be, humanity reigned above it all.

Lining up at the Consulate

I am trying to get a visa to attend a meeting in Europe for the past several days. Out of respect for the country and culture, I will withold the exact location of the embassy. It has been a learning experience for those in the office. First of all, they are stunned that I need something beyond a passport to go to a foreign country (yup, I need a visa to cross the street - green card, schmreen card.) Then, they are confused as to why I cannot just show a letter from the company to the "guy at the border." Well, the embassy is not making things easier either. I need to sign up to get an appointment to apply for the visa in person. No appointments available until several weeks after my meeting. So, I will sit back in the office, as a global-minded individual, working for a global firm, unable to compete or participate at a global level. Shame on whomever!