Posts
Have we lived a thousand lives since the last post? I do believe we have.
So many, multiple things have been going on and, at times, I have genuinely felt like I was SMASHING this. Like, actually, the obstacles were rearing their ugly heads right, left and centre, and I was just blowing them to smitherines like a big, swinging wrecking ball. I came in like a...yeah, anyway.
Now I had achieved the getting of Emilio's passport, I decided that the travelling on a plane should go ahead. We had booked tickets to go to Cusco in the long weekend, as a trial run. The flight is less than an hour, my friend was coming, it was all going to be ok. As it happened, the stress and panic of how to best try even attempt to prepare a child on the Spectrum for a flight, was immense. I tried to pre-empt every single little thing. I contacted the airline and the airport to tell them we were coming. I asked what services they provide for people with disabilities. I took the buggy and luggage enough for a month; I planned, replanned and overprepared for every, little thing.
Was Emilio even a tiny bit phased? No. No, he was not. Born for the jetset lifestyle. We had an amazing time, being outdoors, seeing blue sky and green grass and animals and Pilar! It was just the most beautiful few days in one of my most favourite places in the world. Sleep is not our friend, nor was it in the mountains, despite long days out in the fresh air, but when you're just happy and on holiday and surrounded by incredible landscape...who cares about sleep? Sleep is for the weak!
Lovely Pilar (aka Lady On Wheels in Cusco - HIGHLY recommended!) drove us around to explore Pisac ruins, the market, the place where the llamas live, the place where we went horse riding, the restaurants and back to Cusco to fly home. The boy was in his element. Nature is clearly key. Oh, hi Lima...
On our return, I went ahead with the plans for the next trip...which should be happening tomorrow. I say should be, because of the RIDICULOUSNESS of what I've had to do to make it possible for us to go.
Visa for E. Required notarised copies of birth certificate and adoption certificate and a 2 hour wait at the Embassy.
Approved. Whooohooooo.
Car booked, hotel booked, flights booked. We are a go.
But no. NO, NO, NO! So, in Peru, if you are travelling out of the country with your child and the other parent is not, you need something called a 'permiso'. That the other parent gives permission for you to take your child out of the country without them. Legit. Would one think, then, that I, being a Single, would need such permise? No. No, but you would be wrong. OF COURSE I need this. Just when I think I'm smashing all of the things, some such thing jumps up and goes, 'HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAAH!'.
Therefore, I have been to the Notaria no less than 5 times to try and retrieve said document. The hold up was that the 'original' birth certificate that I was given by #whoisjoseluis was not, in fact, the original. It was an original but not printed on the right paper. WTAF. Secondly, an 'original' certificate is only valid for 3 months. Again. WTAF. So, friend's driver to the rescue. There is a machine where you can go and print your documents which last only 3 months. A simple process at last! Again, no. NO, NO, NO. Only if you are a Peruvian can you use this machine. Alas, I cannot retrieve E's birth certificate.
But do you know who can?
Literally any Peruvian who has his DNI number. Actually anyone. Except his mum. Makes sense.
Anyway, thankfully, thankfully, thankfully, the day was saved by my friend's driver. I have the permiso; that is that I, Marianne, give MYSELF permission to take MY son out of the country. Signed Me. I mean...
I have all the things, I have enough food packed to last a 3 week sail across the Atlantic, I have more Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol downloaded than I care to admit and I have a carry on suitcase with all the books, all the playdough, all the colouring and all the building. The airport and airline have secured us priority, I have all of the things. Do I trust that they'll let us through? Do I chooky.
Watch this space and wish this Mama the luck.
xxxx
So many, multiple things have been going on and, at times, I have genuinely felt like I was SMASHING this. Like, actually, the obstacles were rearing their ugly heads right, left and centre, and I was just blowing them to smitherines like a big, swinging wrecking ball. I came in like a...yeah, anyway.
Now I had achieved the getting of Emilio's passport, I decided that the travelling on a plane should go ahead. We had booked tickets to go to Cusco in the long weekend, as a trial run. The flight is less than an hour, my friend was coming, it was all going to be ok. As it happened, the stress and panic of how to best try even attempt to prepare a child on the Spectrum for a flight, was immense. I tried to pre-empt every single little thing. I contacted the airline and the airport to tell them we were coming. I asked what services they provide for people with disabilities. I took the buggy and luggage enough for a month; I planned, replanned and overprepared for every, little thing.
Was Emilio even a tiny bit phased? No. No, he was not. Born for the jetset lifestyle. We had an amazing time, being outdoors, seeing blue sky and green grass and animals and Pilar! It was just the most beautiful few days in one of my most favourite places in the world. Sleep is not our friend, nor was it in the mountains, despite long days out in the fresh air, but when you're just happy and on holiday and surrounded by incredible landscape...who cares about sleep? Sleep is for the weak!
Lovely Pilar (aka Lady On Wheels in Cusco - HIGHLY recommended!) drove us around to explore Pisac ruins, the market, the place where the llamas live, the place where we went horse riding, the restaurants and back to Cusco to fly home. The boy was in his element. Nature is clearly key. Oh, hi Lima...
On our return, I went ahead with the plans for the next trip...which should be happening tomorrow. I say should be, because of the RIDICULOUSNESS of what I've had to do to make it possible for us to go.
Visa for E. Required notarised copies of birth certificate and adoption certificate and a 2 hour wait at the Embassy.
Approved. Whooohooooo.
Car booked, hotel booked, flights booked. We are a go.
But no. NO, NO, NO! So, in Peru, if you are travelling out of the country with your child and the other parent is not, you need something called a 'permiso'. That the other parent gives permission for you to take your child out of the country without them. Legit. Would one think, then, that I, being a Single, would need such permise? No. No, but you would be wrong. OF COURSE I need this. Just when I think I'm smashing all of the things, some such thing jumps up and goes, 'HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAAH!'.
Therefore, I have been to the Notaria no less than 5 times to try and retrieve said document. The hold up was that the 'original' birth certificate that I was given by #whoisjoseluis was not, in fact, the original. It was an original but not printed on the right paper. WTAF. Secondly, an 'original' certificate is only valid for 3 months. Again. WTAF. So, friend's driver to the rescue. There is a machine where you can go and print your documents which last only 3 months. A simple process at last! Again, no. NO, NO, NO. Only if you are a Peruvian can you use this machine. Alas, I cannot retrieve E's birth certificate.
But do you know who can?
Literally any Peruvian who has his DNI number. Actually anyone. Except his mum. Makes sense.
Anyway, thankfully, thankfully, thankfully, the day was saved by my friend's driver. I have the permiso; that is that I, Marianne, give MYSELF permission to take MY son out of the country. Signed Me. I mean...
I have all the things, I have enough food packed to last a 3 week sail across the Atlantic, I have more Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol downloaded than I care to admit and I have a carry on suitcase with all the books, all the playdough, all the colouring and all the building. The airport and airline have secured us priority, I have all of the things. Do I trust that they'll let us through? Do I chooky.
Watch this space and wish this Mama the luck.
xxxx
