24 Jan 2008

Neverland

Sometimes I feel as if Norwegians live in a different world than the rest of us. A nicer, gentler world, where everyone is safe, and where terrorism is still unheard of.

Today, we went down to renew the boys' Norwegian passports. Not only were we in-and-out of the passport office in less than 20 minutes, but the entire process was so simple.

In today's world of fear rhetorics, homeland security departments and coloured threat levels, I'm no longer used to anything connected with international travel being simple.

Which is why this was so refreshing.

The passport form was half a page long and 2 minutes of effort. There were no guarantor, birth certificate or ID requirements. All we needed to bring were the boys' old passports.

It made me wish that it could be so simple again everywhere. That the people of the world would come together, and the fear and mistrust so rampant at the moment could be put to the wayside.

That we could all live in Neverland.

44 comments:

Suburban Correspondent said...

They do live in a different world. Lucky!

Misty said...

:( I want to live in Neverland.

Don Mills Diva said...

It' such a cliche to say that 9/11 changes everything but for those of us in North America it really did...sad.

kim-d said...

Sign me up for Neverland. There are many times that I've felt like I'm living in the wrong time; some things and people just don't make sense.

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

I never changed my passport after I got married because it is such a pain. I've been traveling under my maiden name.

Plus I don't want to get my picture taken again because the original was is really cute.

ewe are here said...

I was under the impression that Norway didn't allow dual citizenship, is that only for over 18s?

And the US Consulate in Edinburgh runs pretty darn well, too, I'm happy to report.

Chantal said...

Wait till you get back to Canada. Way not fun. Although they are getting better, not as good as Norway but better.

dawn klinge said...

Like Misty said, I want to live in Neverland also. We have to get passports for everyone in our family now- and soon, a new law was passed in the U.S. that says we can't even go to Canada anymore without a passport.

Lisa said...

It is a different world for sure.
Sad.
I'm going to Toronto this summer and I was shocked to learn I'd need my passport for entry into Canada. Since when? I thought we were friends. :(

An award is waiting for you at my blog, because I think you are most Exellent!

Kyla said...

It sounds wonderful.

Kat said...

Alright, that's it. You have convinced me to move there as well. It sounds idealic in so many ways. The skiing, friendly people, the cottage, the food, and now this? Pack up kids, we're leaving!

Mrs. G. said...

Suburban C. is right. It seems like a different PLANET.

Mary Alice said...

That sounds so...i dunno...PERFECT?
Sigh. Life has changed. So much fear. So much suspicion. And yet some people still are so innately good. I visited a farm stand this summer where everything is still on the honor system. I felt like I had been time transported. That feeling of trust seems liberating and uplifting.

Anonymous said...

I second that. I want to live there too!

Aliki2006 said...

Neverland does sound perfect--I know exactly what you mean!

Anonymous said...

I wish we all could love in the Neverland, everyone should be able to experience such wonderful sense of security.

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

I guess they needed lots of info on each Airman to use as part of the interrogation process. Apparently they were able to access ANYTHING and EVERYTHING they want - they knew info that surprised CJ although he couldnt say what that was.

He said he was just floored when they called him Shmoopy - I can't imagine how his stomach felt when that happened. My stomach hurt just hearing about it!!

I'm SO SO SO SO SO happy it's almost over. 1 1/2 days left. YEAH!!!

Hallie

ewe are here said...

You've got to send me your email address... :-)

Norway must have changed its rules since my husband was born. He and his siblings were only entitled to dual citizenship (UK via dad and Norway via mom) until they were 18; then they had to choose one. Their mother has kept her Norwegian citizenship.

Melanie said...

OK, sold. I didn't need much convincing, though.

Unknown said...

Or Canada. It is the same whenever I leave the U.S. and take my little half-breeds home with me. :-)

Shan said...

Wow! I wish is could be that easy everywhere. I have to get my health care renewed and I am dreading it.

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

Sounds nice, but I could never handle the winters. My blood is just too thin. :-)

Victoria said...

Neverland it is! For all of us! Post directions - we'll meet you there!

Kellan said...

Yes that would be nice - that we could all live in Neverland!!

Hope you are having a good week Heidi - Alexis and Chloe are both sick - we are in for a rocky weekend. Take care and I'll talk to you soon. Kellan

Suzanne said...

I've often thought that Scandinavian countries would be an ideal place to live. All your posts drive that observation home!

Beck said...

All right, I'll move to Norway. I hope I pick Norwegian up quickly....

sandy shoes said...

9/11 did change so much; one of the things it changed was that Americans established an entire bureaucracy to tell us to seal our houses with duct tape in the event of attack, and to be extra careful when the Secretary of Homeland Security (and since when did we start calling it "homeland?" what's that bring to mind, anyone?) has a funny feeling in his gut.

Crazy times.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

You're absolutely right. I want to live in Neverland too (provided Michael Jackson isn't there - oh wait that's Neverland Ranch). :)

Rima said...

It is Neverland in a way, isn't it? Is it that Norway is a safer place, though, or do they just have a better system than we do here in North America?

Jennifer said...

Count me in -- Neverland sounds awfully good. *sigh*

carrie said...

Can I live there too?

Keeping It Real said...

Sign me up! A dose of nice and gentle would be highly welcomed right now.

Stomper Girl said...

I hope it gets to stay that way. So sad that we have so much turmoil elsewhere.

familymclean said...

Wow! I am dreading the renewal process. Ours expired and since we moved cities now have to travel back to have people sign the darn paperwork. Neverland sounds fantastic but to get there I would have to renew here, blah!

the dragonfly said...

Getting the Little Mister's passport was a headache. We were getting an American military passport for a child born in Germany. It had to go to the State Department in DC, and then to the US Consulate in Berlin, then to the military, then to us. Or something like that. It took months.

Oh, for simpler times...

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

It's true. We have some dear friends who are Norwegian...their life seems so idyllic compared to ours :)

Karen MEG said...

The bureaucracy over here astounds me. Remember when they announced the "no smiling" rule for the photos? I thought it was a joke at first. Not many things harder in life than trying to get your pre-programmed kids NOT to smile for the camera. I was actually angst-ridden that our shot of G in a turtleneck at 9 months of age wouldn't pass the test because we covered her neck too much.

Neverland would be wonderful. Will be find Johnny Depp there too?

Amy said...

i am moving... to neverland. i whole-heartedly agree with you!

Anonymous said...

How lovely for you all to experience this.

My greatest fear is that with the U.S. presidential election this year (I couldn't even bring myself to capitalize presidential!), I know we're in for fear-mongering from the Republicans, and unfortunately, no chance for a Democrat to be elected.

I can only hope that if we don't get out of the U.S. one of these days, Shortman will have the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Norway just sounds so...civilized.

Kristi B said...

I am packing my bags right now! :-)

Katie Zeller said...

The last time we renewed our American passports was at the American Embassy in Spain...and it was much the same. Showed them our old ones and got the new ones...on the spot. No waiting!

Ice Cream said...

A lovely idea. I am reading a novel about the old west and Indians in America. It makes me wish I could live back in that time when just living on a piece of land made it yours.

E said...

Do you have to come back? Or maybe the question is do you want to?
I love these posts...tnx