How to confront Bolivian bureaucracy and survive (Part II)

What did I say about this process of getting a temporary visa being easy? (read previous post to know what I am talking about). Yesterday was interesting because after three long hours, I passed a medical test that included blood and urine tests, a chest X-ray, and someone who checked my blood pressure, measured me (with my shoes on) and weighted me (with all my clothes on). The results will be ready in two, three (nobody knows) weeks. I don’t know when but I expect to get that health certificate at some point.

What I never expected was the hitch that emerged today. After trying in vain to recover my passport yesterday, I went again to the migration office today to get my shining new month-long visa that allows me to go forward with the process of getting the next, year-long one. I was surprised to be told that there was a problem with my application. Apparently the problem is that, although in order to apply for this visa I needed to have a work contract, it is illegal to have a work contract without having the visa in the first place. Has anyone read Catch 22? Hmmm…quite.

After being reprimanded by the same guy who gave me the list of required documentation to apply for this visa (by God, how could I think I could have a work contract without this visa!!) I was told an ‘inspector’ will call in to ‘fine’ me and my company for this transgression.

So, can this ‘problem’ be solved with money? Yes it can. Of course I smell a rat, a corrupt one at that, but can do nothing about it until this ‘inspector’ calls because the fucker has my passport. And when he calls in, do I shut up and give him the money he asks for or do I shoot him? I feel like doing the latter but you will have to wait and see what happens on the next episode of this saga…coming to your computer screens veeeeery soon.

If anyone has any useful suggestions as to how to proceed, please write with comments….