How much fun it is to obtain a passport!

As I've mentioned before, I'm going to Spain in June. I've been out of the country before but only on a cruise ship where a passport isn't needed. So this was my first experience obtaining one. And what an experience it was.

First step-Clerk of Court's office to obtain copies of court order regarding name change.

Take a trip to my hometown state of North Carolina to get certified copies of my birth certificate which involved hotel expenses, rental car expenses, and an eight a.m. appointment in a crowded room on a day so cold it hurt to stand outside for longer than a minute. Vital records keeps my copy of the court order which I thought nothing of…until I review the passport requirements. A copy is required.

So with birth certificate information in hand, I head back home and schedule another trip downtown to obtain another copy of the court order.

Then comes time to schedule an appointment to obtain the passport. Unfortunately, the office I had chosen was no longer open to issuing passports. So I was sent to another agency several more miles away. No appointment necessary. I could walk right in, said a chirpy voice on the phone. So take her at her word and arrive at what I thought was a decent hour. After all, how many people could really be trying to obtain a passport on a Thursday morning. Turns out a lot, and they were ALL in front of me.

Five hours later and several hundred dollars broker, I head out the door with nothing to show for it. Both my passport and the only certified copy of my birth certificate would arrive in the mail weeks later. I nervously watched the plane fares only to see them spike right before my passport arrived.

Knowing my trip was a little over two months away, I decided to go ahead and book to the tune of $1300, and even then, I ended up with seats at the back of the plane. My ever cheerful friend then attempts to make that better by telling me I have a better chance of surviving a plane crash if I'm at the back of the plane. Really? She didn't take into consideration the heart attack that will take me out long before that actually happens.

So anyway, we're at smooth sailing now…I think. Two months away, and I still have luggage to buy, electric adapters, comfortable walking shoes, and….well, you get the picture. And all of this started with a desire to see Spain!!! I'm sure by the time I'm a few weeks away, I'll need a tranquilizer.