Passport Woes

It took us a long time to get to Kazakhstan – approximately 9 weeks from the time I accepted the position to actually arriving in Shymkent. I knew the process would be a bit long, but I expected about a month. We’ve been in KZ for 13 days and so far it’s been great. By talking with my co-workers it sounds like we have a great apartment, our taxi driver is on time and consistent everyday, and we’re starting to get used to shopping and the culture. So, yesterday took me quite by surprise.

At 4 pm my supervisor came into the teacher work room and wrangled 3 of us up for a meeting with the principal. We joked a bit and said, “uh-oh, we’re in trouble, haha.” We each failed to notice that our supervisor did not join in the joke. Down the hallway we went and into the principal’s office area where the secretary ushered in. We grouped ourselves in chairs already set up for us around the desk. The principal started off with, “I’m sorry to gather you here under these circumstances…” and while the translator relayed this first message we sat in stunned silence. I was thinking, “I haven’t even been here long enough to get fired from this job! What could I have done already?!?!?!” But the principal continued, “we are sorry to report that we’ve lost your passports.” More stunned silence from the group around the table. I was speechless, wondering what else could go wrong with this job.

Apparently, the VP of International Relations, whom we had given our passports to last Wednesday, failed to return them to us at the Teacher’s Day party last Friday. He took all 3 passports to immigration and was to return them to us when they were complete. Mr. VP drank WAY too much at the Teacher’s Day party. When my supervisor saw that he had the passports he told him to come straight to our table and deliver them. Well, he came to the table and took a toast with Levi and then walked away. The story goes that he ended up in the hospital for the next few days. When he emerged on Tuesday this week the passports were missing. People have been back to the restaurant to ask about them, “Wanted” posters have been posted offering money for their return, etc., but to no avail. The school staff has high hopes that they will be returned, but it’s been almost a week and I’m highly doubtful of that.

Our supervisor was kind enough to look up the information for our embassies online and hand that over so we can start the process of renewal. There is a U.S. Embassy in Astana and a Consulate in Almaty. I have to apply in person for a passport renewal but I have to have a passport to fly. At first this meant 40 hours in a car or bus to drive to Astana (I’ll admit at this point I really started to panic!); thankfully we quickly found out that I can be issued a letter and then I can fly (panic abated).

So, now I’m making all the necessary arrangements for obtaining the new papers. I can only make an appointment with the embassy in Astana on a Tuesday or Thursday between 2 and 4 pm, so I can’t rush around too much; as usual I just have to wait.