illegal immigrant

i found out yesterday that i am an illegal immigrant.

when jen and i arrived in bishkek, jet lagged and lost in translation, we applied for a three month, multi-entry visa... one that would allow us to be in the country until our employers at bishkek international school applied for a full time, work visa for us.

jen got her new visa no problem.

last night i got a call from sasha, my director's husband (who is also the bis office manager) saying that "my new visa had been denied... my old visa was expired... and that i was in the country illegally as of september 15".

outside of bribing some official with vodka and american dollars, the only way to get a new visa is to leave kyrgyzstan (before i get arrested.. but more on how that could happen in a minute) by flying to another country that doesn't require a visa and then fly back into kyrgyzstan. the local embassy keeps my passport until we "bribe" them or show a one way airline ticket out of town.

if bribes don't work... where should i go for a nice little vacation? i am open to your suggestions! i am thinking something in the pacific...

speaking of getting arrested. we heard "stories" about westerners (american's in particular) being harassed here in bishkek. nothing could be further from the truth as we haven't been bothered or even given a second look by the local police.

the only time it does happen... is when westerners drive... and then the game changes a bit as supposedly you will get stopped quiet often by the traffic police wanting to see your paperwork.

doesn't seem like we should have a problem then, no? what with us being the marshuka riding, taxi riding, walking around town couple that we are.

except for the fact that we just bought a car.

yesterday.

right before we heard from sasha.

so now i am an illegal immigrant driving around bishkek in a car that isn't in my name, without a local license, without insurance (people don't have insurance here... they just "settle" the matter right at the scene with the "help" of the police. "hey... you american hit me... give me 13,000 soms") and without a passport.

ah... life in central asia.

but we are both really excited about the "new" car. it is a 1992 vw vento. four doors. great shape inside and out. five speed. having a car will allow us to get around the city easier... explore the amazing country side right outside of bishkek... and when the local kgb come knocking at our door at night in search of illegal immigrant... run from the police!