tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post2203989167018220896..comments2024-03-20T04:01:59.723-07:00Comments on TravelnWrite: 'It's the Rule' ~ You can't leave Greece. . .Jackie and Joel Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-83348400569303758622019-06-05T11:12:59.558-07:002019-06-05T11:12:59.558-07:00I've often thought that those narrow minded bi...I've often thought that those narrow minded bigots who say immigrants to the US need to speak English should be required to study a language themselves before passing judgement. After much difficulty acquiring some basic survival Spanish while living and traveling in Latin America and even less success acquiring some Portuguese words and phrases, I also have a lot of empathy for those coming to a new country. And the "because it's the rule" seems to be the mantra spoken by bureaucratic tyrants the world over! (One of these days I'll have to tell you how *fun* it's been to acquire a Portuguese driver's license ... ) However, I see that you've made lemonade from lemons and are entertaining yourselves during the waiting period by discovering more of your newly adopted country. It's been fun to learn more about Greece along with you!Anita @ NoParticularPlaceToGohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704807316472380660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-11184381394251527412019-05-08T20:47:03.639-07:002019-05-08T20:47:03.639-07:00Thanks for stopping by Mandy. We continue to wait...Thanks for stopping by Mandy. We continue to wait for our cards and are hopeful they arrive before it is time to reapply! ;-)Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-42237568913872368592019-05-08T20:42:47.465-07:002019-05-08T20:42:47.465-07:00We have -- and it is nice to be here despite the c...We have -- and it is nice to be here despite the crazy rules and regulations!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-53379519067354607952019-05-08T20:42:08.560-07:002019-05-08T20:42:08.560-07:00That is the silver lining to this cloud!That is the silver lining to this cloud!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-84508278824464753152019-05-08T20:41:46.742-07:002019-05-08T20:41:46.742-07:00They can and it is the way it is world wide so yes...They can and it is the way it is world wide so yes, if you want to live differently you must abide by a myriad of rules even when they don't make sense!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-39748683215100191032019-05-08T20:40:52.511-07:002019-05-08T20:40:52.511-07:00We certainly hope so. . .our friend's are now ...We certainly hope so. . .our friend's are now in their fifth month of waiting and no sign of permits yets. So won't be making travel plans for awhile!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-17207023010297812572019-05-08T13:50:47.884-07:002019-05-08T13:50:47.884-07:00I loved reading your post. It is so hopeful and po...I loved reading your post. It is so hopeful and positive. And I am so glad the Greeks don't have the same expectation about the Greek language as Americans in the US have about English! Hope all of your paperwork goes through ok and that you don't overpay!<br /><br /><a href="http://aandj8804.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">With Love</a>,<br />MandyMandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415510811585368037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-72924967014796579192019-05-07T16:07:18.314-07:002019-05-07T16:07:18.314-07:00Beautiful images. I'm glad you've found yo...Beautiful images. I'm glad you've found your happy place.<br />Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/05/on-retreat-in-washington-dc.htmlNCSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17617227847364562989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-30284976835847604772019-05-06T21:46:01.713-07:002019-05-06T21:46:01.713-07:00Now you can travel all around Greece instead!Now you can travel all around Greece instead!Lady Fihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181866510595193667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-51527513405536816982019-05-05T21:48:57.219-07:002019-05-05T21:48:57.219-07:00Rules can be very inconvenient some times. As a tr...Rules can be very inconvenient some times. As a traveler, we have to face wrath of authoritiesJogihttps://book-my-safari.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-40975801855189058352019-05-05T04:57:39.373-07:002019-05-05T04:57:39.373-07:00Fingers crossed. . .one couple who applied in late...Fingers crossed. . .one couple who applied in late November is still waiting five months later. I am not hopeful we will be any more successful.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-69086670250623566852019-05-05T04:56:36.112-07:002019-05-05T04:56:36.112-07:00Thanks - glad I didn't put you to sleep! :-)Thanks - glad I didn't put you to sleep! :-)<br />Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-76175324336414955852019-05-05T04:55:48.959-07:002019-05-05T04:55:48.959-07:00Check with me in August about the 'is it worth...Check with me in August about the 'is it worth it?' -- my answer may differ depending on whether I have those cards or not. ;-) Thanks for stopping by Doreen!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-85561309872962844072019-05-05T04:54:31.064-07:002019-05-05T04:54:31.064-07:00Well, Greece is giving the US a run for the money!...Well, Greece is giving the US a run for the money! Everyone it seems who has dealt with immigration - no matter what the country -- has a story of frustration somewhere along the way. This is what we've chosen, so must grin and bear it.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-11329259732587694482019-05-04T09:12:00.712-07:002019-05-04T09:12:00.712-07:00How frustrating. At least you'll get to travel...How frustrating. At least you'll get to travel afar in late June or early July. Have fun in Greece this spring.Marilyn Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14926341718489717582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-79480413701319153132019-05-01T02:27:42.649-07:002019-05-01T02:27:42.649-07:00I enjoyed hearing your insights about the realitie...I enjoyed hearing your insights about the realities and frustrations of life abroad. Joyfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-67143614975941521902019-04-30T19:23:11.320-07:002019-04-30T19:23:11.320-07:00There are so many rules when it comes to travel an...There are so many rules when it comes to travel and immigration. It takes a bit/lot! of the fun out of it. But it’s worth it, isn’t it!?Doreen Pendgracshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07034373301858091444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-25564404562139802262019-04-30T02:47:26.061-07:002019-04-30T02:47:26.061-07:00This post made me laugh and brought back memories ...This post made me laugh and brought back memories of me applying for my green card then citizenship in the U.S. You know it's exactly the same right? You can't leave the U.S while your application is being processed. It's considered abandonment and l believe it is the same everywhere. Hopefully, this will be the end of it unless they hit you with the "you can only be out of the country maximum of 2 months per year". I remember my mom's application being denied because my dad got sick back in Nigeria and she was out for a couple of weeks more than allowed. Denial after several thousand dollars worth of paperwork and B.S. and this was 30 years ago. The U.S rules are brutal. Hang in there :-).Kemkemhttps://nextbiteoflife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-81177627412937445022019-04-29T20:24:08.340-07:002019-04-29T20:24:08.340-07:00Well it is interesting when well-meaning friends b...Well it is interesting when well-meaning friends back in the States get themselves all fluffed up over immigration and post such derogatory things about immigrants. It does make me wonder how they feel about us these days. . .since we too are 'those people'. My grandparents were the same as yours - thankfully they had the courage to come!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-8062499727115004402019-04-29T20:22:08.296-07:002019-04-29T20:22:08.296-07:00Good point! If ya gotta be stuck somewhere, Greece...Good point! If ya gotta be stuck somewhere, Greece isn't a bad place. For those who like to snap up travel deals however it does crimp our style. . .can't snap up something you may not be able to get to! I'll keep Indiana in mind though as I mark off the calendar days. . . ;-)Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-72238558688824952622019-04-29T20:19:54.567-07:002019-04-29T20:19:54.567-07:00Well, we have been exploring Greece for years - lo...Well, we have been exploring Greece for years - long before we moved here so we are certainly comfortable here. Nice to hear you were treated well by the American system. I trust you weren't told you couldn't leave. . .Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-15983874707687967632019-04-29T19:14:16.646-07:002019-04-29T19:14:16.646-07:00I'm always fascinated by your insights into ex...I'm always fascinated by your insights into expat life. We who looks from the outside only think of the glamorous aspects. You've really put the immigration issue into perspective. The current administration's position on immigration is so upsetting. When I saw the Statue of Liberty recently, I actually cried. My grandparents were immigrants - they surely didn't speak the language. Enjoy your travels through Greece while you wait for your papers to come through.Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474198992341706776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-10663708041643758192019-04-29T16:20:28.640-07:002019-04-29T16:20:28.640-07:00Enjoy your explorations of Greece this spring! Liv...Enjoy your explorations of Greece this spring! Living by other nations' petty rules (sometimes even pettier than our own) can definitely be trying at times. But just remember: You could be stuck in Indiana.Brian J. Cantwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10334273991928095425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-27109077985217683992019-04-29T08:41:09.201-07:002019-04-29T08:41:09.201-07:00Aw shucks! The American system was quite great for...Aw shucks! The American system was quite great for me as an immigrant. But I did comb the country first before going to other places. I wanted to be and feel American. So, you guys are on the right track!Carolina Esguerra Colbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01784899826200923352noreply@blogger.com