So SF went quite well. I stayed long enough to have 3 or 4 great weather days before heading home to a typical Seattle dose of Chinese water torture.
My first full day there was a Fri. I decided to get the visa stuff done that day:
9a: Consulate opens for biz. there's already a good wait when I arrive 5mins. later
9:25a: My number is called (similar to waiting at the DMV) I nervously greet the "Consular Official" Bom dia!! (good day) She's immediately impressed by my portuguese, although I haven't said any thing really... Upon looking at my registration, she informs me that she cannot approve my 130 day itin. She then proceeds to inform me how I can circumvent this obstacle. I was sent to a nearby Kinko's so that I may create a faulty airline itinerary, allowing me to obtain a 90 day multiple entry tourist visa.
9:30: I arrive at the Kinko's, I decide the best way to do this is to contact Delta, the airline I'm flying to Brasil. Since I've already overpayed them for my ticket they should be complicit in this!
9:40: Navigate my way through Delta's automated bs to a real person. She seems to understand my dilemma but needs to consult w/ her manager to make sure the can help me lie to a Foriegn Consular body.
9:45: Everythings straight w/ Delta (it'd better be!!) I get my temporary (i.e. Fake) 3 month itin. emailed and print it out.
9:50: Return to the consulate, proceed straight to the service window and confirm in portuguese that I was told that I may cut in line..awesome!!
9:55: Tudo bem!! I shoot the shit w/ the consulate girl "hmm 3 months is a long time, do you know anyone there?....you must've saved a lot of money for this yes???" Pois é senhorinha!!
And that's it...my first taste of Brasilian Jeitinho (finding a little way). Brasilians are known for their last minute dramatics/improvisation when dealing w/ beaurocracy and corruption which is intrinsic in their government and other administrative processes...It seems unfortunate that this only amounts to more corruption...oh well my visa's already here so I'm all good! and hey while I was at it..San Fran ain't so bad either I'm honestly thinking of relocating there after my trip...stay tuned
Tchau!
Mike
