Maybe I should start drinking?

Canada Post finally delivered my "GUARANTEED 7 day delivery with receiving signature" envelope to Douglas in El Salvador - it took them 47 days to deliver it!!!

When Douglas went to the Canadian Consulate last week for the umpteenth time ( I guess 5th time at that point), he was told that they would NOT accept the money order that says "Receiver General of Canada" as it was supposed to say "Receiver General FOR Canada".  They are both prepositions people!! What's the problem?

Douglas didn't ask for a supervisor - I would have insisted if I were there. Perhaps it's a man thing? (To not ask for a supervisor). I had to phone the Consular from Canada - turns out he was a nice guy who just landed there from Ottawa - who had a brain and couldn't understand why the front desk clerk would not accept the money order. So, again the next day Douglas had to drive back to the city and FINALLY, the sixth visit was the charm! Now we just sit back and hope that his application will be approved. 

The security clearances are in Calgary and taking longer than anticipated.  They were due to be completed and in my hands two weeks ago.  However, when I phoned last week I was told they are still processing the paperwork. 

So we sit and wait for the bureaucratic civil servants to dust off their files and do some work. My sister is in a similar situation with civil servants.  She submitted her applications and all necessary paperwork nine months ago - she was warned last week that because of their incompetency in taking so long, they probably would be rejecting the application and asking her to submit all updated paperwork again.  We have a serious incompetency problem in this country with our public sector employees/services. 

EL SALVADOR POSTAL SERVICE - NO MAN'S LAND

I've put my leave of absence from November 30th on hold yet again! Reasons? Well, trepidation for the challenges of living in El Salvador; job prospects for a non-spanish speaking person, education system for the girls - so in a nutshell the financial hurdles are the main reason. 

We have been working very hard to get a Visitor Visa for Douglas to come back here for a time - really hoping for Christmas (if it is approved at all)!

I sent some important Immigration documents with a money order for $100.00 U.S. via Canada Post, Express Post, Guaranteed with signature upon delivery over 10 business days ago. It was guaranteed to be delivered within 7 business days.  It was a small envelope and cost me about $55.00 to post.

I have sent a few letters and packages to him in El Salvador and only ONE ever made it to him - it was the most boring item I had posted that miraculously made it.  So, am I surprised this "guaranteed" delivery didn't make it?

Let's just say that we all kissed the package farewell before we handed it to the Postal person.  I don't blame Canada Post - in the tracking it shows it as having left Canada safe and sound and on time. 

Now they are instigating a trace on the package in El Salvador - which I am told can take up to 2 months to do ???

The money order is another problem to be dealt with! I have to pay to have a trace put on that now. 

So, in in the interim.  I was going to wait a few days - see if anything is found under a rock or a palm tree and then if nothing found, I plan to drive to the airport and pay a stranger waiting in line to fly to El Salvador to carry my small envelope to San Salvador. I think that is the safest way. 

Come on El Salvador - what is wrong with your postal service?