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.
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- After a year in Norway, and a couple back in Canada, our adventure continues in Switzerland.
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44 comments:
They do live in a different world. Lucky!
:( I want to live in Neverland.
It' such a cliche to say that 9/11 changes everything but for those of us in North America it really did...sad.
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.
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.
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.
Wait till you get back to Canada. Way not fun. Although they are getting better, not as good as Norway but better.
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.
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!
It sounds wonderful.
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!
Suburban C. is right. It seems like a different PLANET.
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.
I second that. I want to live there too!
Neverland does sound perfect--I know exactly what you mean!
I wish we all could love in the Neverland, everyone should be able to experience such wonderful sense of security.
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
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.
OK, sold. I didn't need much convincing, though.
Or Canada. It is the same whenever I leave the U.S. and take my little half-breeds home with me. :-)
Wow! I wish is could be that easy everywhere. I have to get my health care renewed and I am dreading it.
Sounds nice, but I could never handle the winters. My blood is just too thin. :-)
Neverland it is! For all of us! Post directions - we'll meet you there!
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
I've often thought that Scandinavian countries would be an ideal place to live. All your posts drive that observation home!
All right, I'll move to Norway. I hope I pick Norwegian up quickly....
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.
You're absolutely right. I want to live in Neverland too (provided Michael Jackson isn't there - oh wait that's Neverland Ranch). :)
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?
Count me in -- Neverland sounds awfully good. *sigh*
Can I live there too?
Sign me up! A dose of nice and gentle would be highly welcomed right now.
I hope it gets to stay that way. So sad that we have so much turmoil elsewhere.
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!
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...
It's true. We have some dear friends who are Norwegian...their life seems so idyllic compared to ours :)
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?
i am moving... to neverland. i whole-heartedly agree with you!
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.
Norway just sounds so...civilized.
I am packing my bags right now! :-)
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!
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.
Do you have to come back? Or maybe the question is do you want to?
I love these posts...tnx
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