As far as I am aware, with an Irish Passport, (Happy belated St. Patrick's Day for Saturday, but the Irish got crushed by England in the Six Nations - embarrassing) I will only need a Visa for 2 countries in Central and South America - Suriname (which I don't intend visiting anyway!) and Chile, which I didn't expect. Apparently, there is a Chilean Consulate in or near Tierra Del Fuego, which I will use before crossing into Chile from Argentina, but that is still many months away!!
However, I did decide to apply for a US Visa for the simple reason that on the Visa Waiver programme, they would only give me 90 days. This wouldn't be a problem for the first leg of the trip from Nashville to Mexico, as I would have made it out before the 90 days was up, but thinking ahead, I would certainly need more than 90 days for the transit through the US on my return trip from New Mexico up to Montana. And I do want to have a good look around and spend my time in the US, not having to leg it out of there.
All US Visa applications require an interview in person at the American Embassy in London, so it was pretty much an all day affair - an hour and a half train and tube ride to London......one way, heavy security checks at the Embassy (not allowed to take in anything electronic), hand in documents and have finger prints taken electronically, and then a wait for anything up to three hours for the interview....twiddling thumbs! Fortunately, I do think they have a fast track for certain Nationalities, and within 45 minutes, I was called to the interview, which itself took.............2 minutes!!!
Prior to all this, one has to phone the Embassy and book the appointment at £1.23 per minute so after all the questions this was about £20.00, and then fill in a detailed on line questionnaire and submit a passport size photo which has to be exact dimensions....and I mean exact. Being a bit of a computer technophobe, it took me about 3 hours to finally track down the internet tool on their website to configure the photograph, and then submit it. Thankfully, it was then accepted after about 8 tries!!
Needless to say, all was successful, and after a £27.00 Courier payment, (The Visa itself costing US$140.00), the passport is now safely back with its owner, with a US Visa; and with all costs considered, it is valid for 10 years, so in that respect is very cost effective in the long run. So another little hurdle hurdled.
PANNIERS
I came across a company on the internet here in the UK that makes panniers bags - I had heard of them many years ago, but was just surfing related products the other day, and hit upon their website. I had originally planned to buy the pannier racks and bags in the US, as when I did my initial research, they were the cheapest relative to the quality. However, I have to say that I was incredibly impressed with their product and the apparent quality, and the pricing, which was about the same as the US. They have been around for about 70 years, so that to me gives an indication of commitment and a product that has evolved and stood the test of time.
It is amazing how aspects of synchronicity have been in play in planning this trip - just two days before finding their website, I was reading a journal from a couple that are cycling the Pan American Highway, who wanted pannier bags that were waterproof and breathable, rather than just a PVC bag. I rather resonated with this - and voila; www.carradice.com - who make a cotton duck pannier that is apparently 100% waterproof and breathable. Also to note that their pannier size is slightly bigger than the Ortleib panniers (which were the ones I was going to buy - PVC), at pretty much the same price! So I have ordered a set of rear panniers and will give them a go before buying the front panniers. 100% waterproof? Well, this will be put to the test in South America.
PANNIERS VS TRAILER
Another debate that is rampant amongst bike tourers is the pannier vs trailer debate. I once again started to question whether I wanted to take a trailer or Extra wheel, rather than front panniers. I have never cycled with front panniers, but have done with rear panniers and a trailer, albeit for a short trip. Apparently, front panniers effect the handling of the bike to a degree - mind you, I have to say, I did have to get used to a slight difference in handling with a fully loaded trailer. After a few days mulling this over, I think I am going to stick to my original plan not to tow a trailer (I was going to take a trailer because of the guitar, but now I have the guitarlele, it will easily strap to the top of one of the rear panniers). As they say with endurance training, "less is best!" I am sure after a month of cycling, one fully adapts to either front panniers or a trailer whichever one decides to take - and a trailer is an extra appendage which one has to look after and haul around. I will keep you posted on this debate throughout the trip.
BEWARE OF TOADS
About 6 weeks to go now - just waiting for the last Chinese Medicine Seminar in London in early May, and hanging in there, with very itchy feet!
