Ruminations of an Expatriate

Yesterday morning I, rather sheepishly, visited the immigration office here to report the theft of my FM 3 visa and inquire as to what was necessary to obtain a new one. You may remember that just a bit more than two weeks ago I had renewed my visa. Consequently I was a bit embarrassed to return so soon.

I explained my situation to the woman who helped me and apologized for my carelessness. She told me “no te preocupes” (don’t worry) and asked if I had a police report relative to the theft in Oaxaca. I answered that I did not, as I assumed that my property would not be found. She told me that she must have such to reissue my visa. I asked if I must return to Oaxaca, the prospect of twelve hours on a bus just to retrieve a police report being not at all appealing. She directed me to the Agencia de Ministerio Público, in the San Jose area a few blocks from the immigration office.

So off I went to the Agencia, and upon my arrival I explained my situation to a very kind woman and asked with whom I must speak. She directed me to a young fellow who very kindly informed me that I must go to the Agencia Segunda off of Avenida 20 de Noviembre. I hailed a cab and for $20 pesos was dropped at the front door.

I again explained my situation and was told to return at 1:30 when the person who could provide me with the necessary document would arrive. Being a bit unsure if I understood correctly, I returned to the immigration office where a woman kindly wrote the name of the agency for me. Assured that the Agencia Segunda was the correct place I returned a bit before 1:30.

Soon the woman who would help me arrived and shortly I was asked to enter her office. I explained my situation and she assured me that she would help for a $100 peso fee; but to do so she would have to state in the required document that the theft had occurred in Xalapa, and assured me there would be no problem in doing so.

I thanked her profusely and within ten minutes she had prepared the document on her laptop. Midway through my wait she began speaking impeccable English. Curious as to what types of matters she and her compatriots tend to, I asked “what do you do here”. She responded “I work here”, and laughed heartily. I explained that I was using “you” in the sense of the agency and she explained what they do there.

Having the necessary document and very pleased that I needn’t return to Oaxaca for such, I began my walk back to Centro. I stopped for lunch at the La Capella Italian restaurant, which I had often passed but never entered. It was a very pleasant surprise.

The food was great, the service excellent, the decor beautiful, and the folks there very friendly. The walls of the restaurant are adorned with paintings of exaggeratedly fat, cartoonish subjects. I asked if I might take photos and was told of course. I also asked about the pantings and was informed that they are by a Columbian artist named Botero.  (Since my Dell has only a 10 gb hardrive there is not room to load the software necessary to download photos from my phone so I must wait until I have a new computer to post my La Capella report.)

On the walk home I stopped at a bank to pay the visa replacement fee and a photo studio for photos I knew the immigration office would need.

All and all it was a wonderful day.

This morning I returned to the immigration office, submitted the required documents and photos, again the woman helping me told me to not worry, completed the necessary paperwork, had me sign and apply my thumb print to a blank visa, and told me to return next Friday to pick my visa. I was in and out in twenty minutes.

I can also report that I have visited the USA State Dept. website where there are instructions as to how to report a stolen passport and the required form. I completed the form, printed it, scanned the printed form, and both express mailed it to the Wash. D. C. and emailed the scanned copy to the USA embassy in Mexico City, where I must present myself to apply for a new passport. This morning I received a very kind response from the passport consular at the embassy offering any help necessary. Once I receive my new credit card, which I am expecting within the next couple of days, I will bus to Mexico City to make the application.

It really has been all quite painless.

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