The best laid plans….

You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men….

So far, I’ve had to go to immigration twice to extend my visa.  Both times, I went to immigration first thing in the morning and ended up having to run back home and return later in the day.  I don’t remember what the problem was the first time.  The second time it was because I was wearing shorts and they have a new rule that requires you to wear pants to all government offices.

Yesterday, I had to return to immigration to extend my visa for the final time.  I was determined to have things go smoothly this time.  Oh, if only….

I left my place around 8:45 in the morning so I could arrive right when immigration opened.  It was raining a little when I left but I decided not to go back and get my umbrella since it didn’t look that bad out.  Before I got on a jeepney, I planned on stopping at an ATM and getting money out so I could pay the visa extension fees.  But I forgot.  No problem though since I knew there was an ATM about a block from the immigration office.  So I stopped there, put in my card, entered the code, waited and got the following message “Sorry but we are temporaily unable to process your transaction”.  Hmmm.  So I walked across the street, tried two more ATMs….same result.

Hmm….what to do?  I decide to take a jeepney to Gaisano Mall.  There’s an ATM outside the mall entrance that I’ve used several times.  I show up and guess what?  The ATM is broken!!!  There are other ATMs inside the mall but it’s only 9:15 and the mall doesn’t open until 10:00.  I walk around for a bit, hoping to find another ATM but no luck.  Meanwhile, it’s raining harder and harder and I’m starting to get soaked.  Finally, I text Tet and she agrees to meet me at the immigration office and lend me the money.  Everything goes smoothly after that.  About an hour later, I try an ATM machine and withdraw money, no problem.