Where I’ve been and where I’m going

Last month I had to get a new passport because mine was set to expire 5 February 2013.  Now, typically getting a new passport isn’t such a big deal.  Fill out some forms, mail off your old passport and a few weeks (or more) later you have a new passport. Or, you could visit a passport center and get a new one if you’re in a rush and a have access to a passport center.

When you travel internationally for business as much as I do, mailing off for a renewal passport isn’t really an option. There’s no passport center where I live (sure, there are passport agencies, but they’re no quicker than the good old mail.)  So I had to figure out how to renew.

I happened to be in New York and was lucky to get an appointment at the NY Passport Center.  Easy enough, or so I thought.  I got my passport, signed it and got ready for my next trip.   Fast forward 2 weeks and I’m packing up for my trip to Hong Kong.

I went through security in Charleston and used my passport as ID. No problem.  I went through LA security, no problem.  It wasn’t until I got to Hong Kong that there was a little snag.  The birthday in my passport didn’t match the birthday I wrote on my customs form – and the agent in Hong Kong noticed.  I laughed and played it off saying, “oh, I’m not used to writing the date in the DD/MM/YY format. In the US we write our birth month first. And smiled”  He looked for a few minutes and then waived me on.  Phew! That was close.

So how the heck did my birthday get printed wrong on my Passport and why didn’t I check it!  The truth is, I’m very used to using the DD/MM/YY format since I work with international offices only.   I guess I’m so used to writing that way, that I filled out my forms wrong when I got the passport.   Now, the bigger question is how did the woman at the passport center miss that?  She noticed, and questioned, why I was only using my middle initial on my new passport and not my full middle name.  She noticed that detail, but not the birthday?  Okay, in fairness, I didn’t even look at my birthday on the passport and she must not have either.

I knew I had to get it fixed, and was worried that if it was wrong when I re-entered the US that the Global Entry Kiosks would reject it.  So, I did the only thing I could do – I made an appointment at the US Consulate in Hong Kong.  I filled out some more forms, explained the situation and paid another fee . Three days later, I had a new passport waiting for me at the Consulate.  This time, the woman at the Consulate checked every single piece of data. I asked if that was standard and she said it was, but that sometimes people don’t pay close attention since they see so many.  Uh, that’s not comforting.

Getting a new passport mid-trip was a bit complex.  The Consulate explained that since my entry stamp was in the old passport – which they cancelled and returned to me – I’d have to show both the old, and the new passport at any borders.  That really threw off some agents at the Macau border!  I got a lot more questions than I ever have before.  But, I’m very happy to have a corrected new passport in hand.

So with a new passport in hand, I’m taking a look back at where I’ve been and where I’m going – call it a bucket list retrospective.

Where I’ve been:

• Australia – I enjoyed Australia and had a great trip.  The highlight was seeing the fireworks on NYE from the rooftop of the FourPoints Sheraton at Darling Harbour
• Belgium – I would love to visit when its not so cold. My trips have all be winter trips.  I love walking through the old streets!
• Canada – I love Canada. I’ve been all over and return whenever I can.  Whistler and Banff are two of my favorite spots.
• China – I’ve been to Macau and Hong Kong now. And I’m not sure I’m inspired to go back for vacation. I’m sure I’ll be back for work
• Fiji  – I just loved Fiji!  The people are wonderful and the island is beautiful
• France – great food!
• Germany – again, a place I’ve only visited when it’s freezing…in fact, once during a blizzard.
• Great Britain – I’ve been many, many times for vacation and business with lots more trips to come
• Israel  – again, a place I’ve been to often since I have lots of family there
• Italy – been once to Rome, for two days, I would love to spend more time there!
• South Korea  – one day isn’t really enough to know a place, but I’d love to get to know it better
• Mexico – in no hurry to go back!
• Morocco – I would love to go!
• Netherlands – I loved the tulips! I could visit the tulips anytime.  The rest…eh…I wouldn’t rush back
• Singapore – I loved my first visit so much that I’m headed back in December
• Switzerland  – I was there during Christmas a few years ago and it was so picture perfect!
• Turkey – shopping & fabulous food – enough said
• Thailand – I love Thailand so much I’ve gone every year for the past 4 years for vacation.  I have also been for work a ton and will be back in October.
• Vietnam – I was there for 2 days a few years ago and can’t wait to head back in December
• 49 of 50 US States – I’m missing Iowa .  My favorite state?  Alaska!

I feel like I’m missing some places off of my list.  But this is what I can recall. 

Where I’m going:

I have trips currently planned to these places I’ve never been:

• Malaysia
• Cambodia