It was originally planned that I would fly to DC and from there leave to Turkey. With this in mind I set up our Master Bedroom for my guest teacher. When I had to come back home from DC I still offered the master bedroom to our Guest teacher as planned. I figured it would only be a few days or even a week before I was off to Turkey. It has Almost been 3 weeks now. She is sleeping in our room. I am sleeping on the floor in the family room.
Well I had to resubmit my Visa to the LA consulate. Why? It is kind of a long story but let me just say that after I submitted it the first time the person who was supposed contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not submit the paper work at the correct time. Whose fault was this? Maybe mine, maybe theirs? I really do not know. I suppose it does not matter. But I still want to know.
I think what was supposed to happen was that I gt approval from the ministry of education. Then I send my visa application to the LA consulate. Then the LA Consulate contacts the Ministry of Foreign affairs and then I contact the school I am to work at. Then the school or some body contacts the Ministry of Foreign affairs and then they contact the LA Consulate. That whole sequence of events has to happen with in 3 days or the whole things is voided.
To be honest I am not sure that is the correct explanation. However this process is made even more complicated because first off no one told me or any of the other fulbright teachers going to Turkey how it was supposed to be done. Secondly I have been in and out all summer long doing workshops for ASM. I think it may have also aggravated the situation that key people in Turkey have been on vacation at various times and as a result the situation was further encumbered.
Back to my question... Whose fault is this? I'd like to have someone to blame. I am not sure there is a clear answer. I guess when it really comes down to it the fault rest with me.
I assumed that you applied for a Visa and it would sit on a desk or in a file waiting for the proper approval from Turkey. But that is not how it works. How was I supposed to find this out?
That I do not know. I did not even understand what the problem was until a few days ago.
I do worry that there will be other bureaucratic pitfalls waiting for me in Turkey. It worries me more because I will be there and I will have no one to help me out.
I guess I will have to Live and Learn.
