Passport Saga

There is nothing more miserable in the world than to arrive in paradise and look like your passport photo...............

In the midst of making travel arrangements a small notation on the very bottom of a page caught my eye.
"After 9/11 Caribbean Nations will only allow holders of passports that have more than 6 months till expiration to enter"  Huh? Oh oh.......I got my passport and checked it out. It would expire 5 months and 27 days after my return....Did that mean I would be turned back at Barbadian Immigration? Is this a joke? Doesn't seem funny to me. It is now 3 weeks before my trip. Want to understand, why 6 months? Seems arbitrary to me. Especially if one has a return ticket for much sooner.


I check out US Passports on the net and learn that it usually takes 3-4 weeks at this time of year to get a renewal. Oh!.I can make an appointment to get one sooner, but on the web site it says that will take at least 2 weeks and a day of standing in line. Also read that if i get new photos and go to a designated Post Office at a designated time, I may get some help. Got a photo taken at a local shop. Have to let you in on something..My last passport photo was the worst photo of me in creation. So, even though now 10 years older this is a vast improvement. 

My local PO is a designated one and I am there on time. Short line..Thank You. I give my Passport, photos, and renewal application to the woman behind the counter. "When are you traveling?" "July" "Where" "Barbados"..."You are? I just came back". We proceeded to have a great conversation all about her trip and my upcoming one. "Don't worry, you will have a new one on time". Credit card swiped and all papers signed and sent on a Wednesday evening.

My new Passport arrived the following Tuesday!