Pass me the the goverment red tape please

Man, the amount of things to do before an actual life move is absolutely collasal. Sam and I have completed about half of our tasks, but there is so much more to get through- we got a huge yard sale coming up on the 7th of February. If any of you need a fridge, just let me know, we are selling it cheap. As I said, we got our visas all set, as in we went to the consulate. Now, the difference between Sam's experience and my experience is so drastic it is unbelievable. Our meat deli number was called after an hour and we both went to our Indian visa representative. He asked for our passports and pertinent pre-organized documents. Lets us break down Sam's experience now:
The representative asked for her application and passport. Stamped it and asked for 90 dollars as a fee for processing the visa. He then proceeded to tell her that it would be ready in three days. Sam done.

Alex's experience: I will break it down in monetary segments
Representative looks at Alex: 10 dollars
Representative touches Alex's US passport: 15 dollars
Alex speaks with US accent: 10 dollars
Application ok, but need to fill out three other applications which essentially reiterate all information on first application: 15 dollars
Representative informs Alex that it will take 15-1000000 days to process application and other superfluous papers: 15 dollars
Visa: 120 dollars
Alex fined for objecting to extra costs: 20 dollars
Alex leaves, bewildered and unhappy, exiting the Indian consulate: 30 dollars

I realize that we impose hard measures against tourists and immigrants coming into our country, but geez, the this seems like taking a step beyond reciprocity. This happened when I tried to get into China. I don't understand, the Euro is so much stronger than our dollar. Why wouldn't they extort the money from these countries rather than from us.
All in all, I am waiting for my visa to be processed and given the green light while absolutely fuming I only have 100 dollars to my name now. In the meantime, Sam and I are continuing to cross off "things to-do"on out checklist. Only two weeks to go.

Countdown to India

Whew! It has been a long time since I have written. Happy New Year to everyone. Since my last blog, I have been putting in major hours at the club, understanding the intricacies of cricket (which coincidentally is not that mind numbing, soul crushing), parading around Sydney with my sister and finally spending time with Sam, who has quit her job. Sam's resignation has signalled the final countdown to India. We have booked our tickets and are leaving on the 15th of February. Even though, we have little over a month, we are now scrambling around to complete odds and ends that seem to pile up increasingly so. There is so much to be done: packing, selling of furniture and unwanted clothes, visas, good byes, inoculations, rent, cleaning. It feels as though every aspect of life, we must complete in a short month before we leave. I have already gone to the doctor for my shots, but I decided that enough is enough with my eyes. For the past two years, my sight has been deteriorating where now Sam has got read subtitles on the TV screen for me. I knew it was time to go to the doctor when I tried to watch Mongol by myself on the couch during the night time. Usually, I would hunker down and enjoy this historical fictitious movie, but it is hard to get comfortable when you are constantly leaning forward like a turtle coming out its shell once the danger has passes and simultaneously squinting like Mr. Magoo. One thing I am sure of the Mongol language is nice, whatever they said is a whole different matter.
I went in to the optometrist and she administered the eye examine. Let's say I was less than stellar- at one point she asked me to read a line, to which I respond O,W, Z, E. I felt less than confident and this was echoed by the optometrist when she waited about two seconds after I had spoken and said "close.' Long story short, I have an astigmatism and short sighted. New changes in life, honestly. I have glasses now.
The weather has been great and I have been going to the beach a lot. However there has been a recent malaise of utterly terrifying shark attacks lately in Australia. A couple of fatalities and some horrendous bites. Last week, they cleared out three beaches in my area to shark sightings. Most of the time, as Bill Bryson points out, Australians just brush off these incidents like a fly over a cooper's pale ale. This is such an endearing yet utterly maniacal aspect to this culture. I read that 50 percent of the sharks in the net are coming in from the beach. This time around however, there seems to be a little more hysteria lately. The latest was an attack in Tasmania, where a 13 year old got attacked by a great white. She fought it along with her cousin and it released her. They were about 200 feet off shore, when it circled again and stopped in front. Luckily a wave came and the cousin and girl rode the wave closer to the beach. Most of the time sharks don't follow for long distance, but when the duo looked left the same shark was riding the same wave about 9 feet to their left. Just terrifying. The duo did escape further harm. Why tell you this? well, going into the water here sometimes requires a whole cheer leading squad willing you into the water. I will be going into the water over the month, but along with sunblock, I'll be wearing medieval style chain mail.