There are many obstacles to
Freedom of travel. Money is a problem for some, time is a problem for others; While some of us may be truly free to travel, this time there may be some bureaucratic obstacles to travel.. One of them is a visa and the other is a passport.. It is not easy to pay and get the passport in our country, which has the most expensive passport in the world.
When I applied to the Turkish Consulate in Sydney to change my passport, which expired in January 2010, and to get a new passport with a burgundy chip, I was rejected.. They said that those who are abroad for touristic purposes cannot extend their passports.. I also tried my luck at the Turkish Consulate in Melbourne.. This time, I learned from the events in Sydney and applied with more solid stories.
Unlike the embassy officials in Sydney, those in Melbourne were more respectful and smiling.. Here, I asked for a 10-year passport, but when they said that they could not do this and that their authority was limited to 6 months, I was completely depressed again.. I was happy when he said that he would give me 1 year with my requests and that he would call Ankara to give it longer.. My joy would be short-lived.
The officer in charge who called Ankara gave me the bad news that he had called me back to the box office.. He received an order from Ankara after he did not give it longer than 6 months.. What a great head, I will have to manage with 6 months while I will get 1 year.
I think our Foreign Ministry does not like its citizens to travel abroad.. Besides, I have proven to myself that even with consular practice, it is not bound by the rules and is arbitrary.. I did what Sydney said was impossible in Melbourne, although not as I wanted.. My passport is in my pocket now. I had 6 months on my passport which means I’ll be on the road for at least 6 more months. Before I enter the last 6 months of my passport again, that is, after about 6 months, I will be knocking on the doors of the Turkish Embassies.
My answer is ready for those who ask when it is the most stressful time of your travel: My only stress is our state father himself.
Day 311: Australia:56, Melbourne. June 10, 2011
