No Corner on the Chronic Inefficiencies Market...

Today I had my first experience visiting the American embassy here in Jordan. Joy of joys. Okay, first I got better treatment at the gate because I am so very obviously American. I wasn't sure what the line was, so I went up to ask and was sent on through... That was nice. However, once inside, I found that I was No. 46 and they were on 13. Yikes! El 3atal and I were there together to notarize a document that finally finishes all the formalities with his previous employer. At 1:15, I sent him off to pick up the kids at school, since I needed to be there and he didn't. For those of you who don't know, notarizing a document takes approximately 1 minute. In the US, it typically costs $10-15 (if you don't have a relationship with someone who does it, which we always have) and takes the 1 minute. I paid 21JD ($30) after waiting for over an hour. However, to give them credit, I didn't wait as long as I was afraid I would have to. And, to further give credit where it's due, the lady who helped me (maybe the Vice Consul) was fabulously friendly, apologetic about the wait, and responsive to my needs. She also made suggestions for future visits (don't come on Monday, it's their busiest) and indicated that one of the issues is that they are short a couple of staff members presently. So, I hope the next visit will be quicker and smoother. After all, we may well need to get ButterBean's passport renewed form here next year.

Speaking of the embassy, I find the whole premise interesting. In my overly romanticized American mind, I have always envisioned embassies worldwide as bastions of American community. I expected that it would a place that you could go as an American and get assistance, meet and greet other Americans, and find out about happenings in the American community in any given country. Maybe that's the case some places, but it definitely isn't here. In fact, parking was an issue, entry was an issue, and there were no lounge or meeting places in sight. In short, my first experience with the embassy was certainly less than I had envisioned for so long. Maybe one day I'll find the American community here, but I'm not quite sure how... Maybe I'll call the American Community School. I'm not sending my kids there, but maybe it's still the holding place of my community. I'll keep looking and enjoying Jordan for all it is!

Sanity.