Subject: RE: BK_20thAugust2003_Perth

Hi everyone,

So, it looks like this is chapter one of a very interesting journey for Kate and I - at last!  After 3 months of jumping through the 'red tape hoops', the hard work of preparation seems to have paid dividends.  Kate has been doing the ground work over in the States and I have been in 'Limbo' for quite awhile trying not to get my hopes up too much much in case we ran into a snag.  We received the jobs really early in the piece but then it was a matter of getting me a teaching qualification in South Dakota and a working visa.  Sounds easy, but we've now got the mountain of paperwork to show that this is a huge undertaking. 

The good news we were waiting for came on Thursday 14th August.  The visa had been approved and was being posted out from the immigration lawyer in Washington. (You need to employ an immigration lawyer if you are pressured into a short time frame and want to be certain you have all the relevant forms filled out right.)  Within an hour, Harvey World Travel in Broome were able to arrange tickets to the U.S. as well as travel insurance.  Because I really need to be at the school by Monday 25th August for teacher meetings and then start teaching the following week, I decided to head off to Melbourne to see Mum and family for 4 days before flying back to Perth to pick up the visa.  (Seems you can only get the visa from the State you reside in).  After deciding all this in the morning, fixing up the tickets etc. - I was gone in the avo.

Mum was looking great and I was able to catch up with most of the family.  Went to the local footy on Saturday - Ringwood versus Mulgrave.  Soon, as I sat down a lady behing me was discussing the wonders of Broome's sunsets and other attractions to her friends.  I thought "yes! I agree - I've just spent 25 years enjoying those delights."  It was great watching Collingwood demolish Adelaide and cooking a roast with Mum etc. - sorry, I thing I got the order wrong there! 

I headed back to Perth on Sunday avo but not before enduring loud protests about 'assylm seekers' inside the terminal at Tullamarine.  There were about 50 protesters yelling out on hand held megaphones "SHAME QANTAS SHAME" etc.  Seems Qantas was taking away an unsuccessful detainee to Brisbane.  As usual the line snaked all the way back to the door and you have that dreadful feeling - "will I make it in time".

More good news the next day - the visa doco's arrived from the U.S. during the morning.  I had by this time got to know Scott at the Consulate very well.  He was able to pull a few strings and instead of posting in the gear, he arranged an interview the next morning.  This went well although the security aspect is daunting.  They said the visa would be posted out in 2 to 3 days but as I type this I can't believe the visa and passport have been delivered now.  Crikey - I've got to move my butt.  If I can contact Harvey World Travel in Broome, I can be out of here tomorrow.

I'm staying with Karen and Dan Churach in Leeming (Dan is a former work colleague in Broome  1998-99).  They have been wonderful company and its been great catching up.  Dan still has a mischievous side.  They guy next door is a Collingwood supporter and has a plaster magpie on his front lawn.  Dan is going to 'snaffle' it and leave a ransom note if he wants his bird back.

Well, I guess the next instalment of this email will be from Crow Creek, South Dakota.  Hope I make it OK - please say a prayer. 

Will try to keep in regular contact - there should be lots of positive 'spin offs' from this adventure.

Keep well - kind regards from BK in Perth and Kate in Crow Creek

PS.  We have a trailer for accommodation right next to the school.  Trailers have a whole new meaning in the U.S. - this is one of those mobile homes with 3 bedroooms.  Kate is presently vacuuming it and getting the phone hooked up.  Our number will be 00111 605 852 3299.  They are 13 hours behind Perth time.

PPS. Went to the Perth Museum yesterday   Got heaps of Aussie posters for the classroom.  I'll be teaching Maths to Year 9 and 10 and Kate will be in the library.  They've got a great butterfly collection from all round the world at the museum.  I also enjoyed the fossil and dinosaur exhibits.