Just a quick update on the quest for residency cards. Kay and Neil had arrived and straightaway we had to leave for Madrid to pursue the next phase of the card saga.So here goes...
1. We arrived at Av. De Poblados at 8am and the line was already 350m long. Rather charming really as people camp out overnight so the line treks beside piles of rubbish and stale urine.
2. Between getting the a bank to validate that we could afford the E5.90 fee and trying to find a working photocopier we tried to keep the kids entertained and out of the dank corners.
3. Nearing the head of the line at 1.30pm a small scuffle broke out due to a line infringment. The best entertainment for hours!
4. At 1.45pm (the line closes for 3 hrs at 2pm) we thought all was lost. The guard may have had some pity and let us through with the last batch -Ambers pleading face may have helped. So Amber and Archie went through, the gate almost closed as Angus and I just snuck through. I was the last before lunch. The groans eminated behind me as the hapless people leaned over the rail in despair. Three more hours in the hot sun and 'aroma de wee'.
5. All went well until Archie had to be fingerprinted. He lost the plot. If he ever becomes an international assassin all they have is a long black smear.
6. Left my backpack in the cab on the way home! (with Ambers only warm jacket and the kids favourite things in it - Mr Popular)
7. We have to come BACK in 40 days (thankfully the short queue) to collect our cards. Viva Madrid!
8. Drank a lot with Pa to dull the pain.
As a footnote, this is a trivialisation of a long and deliberately difficult procedure which for us is reletively immaterial and unimportant. It did, however, evoke our compassion for people whos´ lives and livelihoods depend on finding a new country to live in.
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