It hung over my head – one of those horrible tasks that have to be done and the idea of doing it is painful both to think about. I needed to renew my passport. A trip to Home Affairs was required. My heart sank as I read the horror stories of Wynberg Home Affairs. Some said go to Barrack St. Others said that too was a nightmare. How can I achieve this chore without losing an entire day of my life sitting in a queue getting frustrated and impatient? Well, as we are now visiting Stacey on a regular basis and thus driving up and down the N2, I figured one of the little towns on the way may suit the purpose. Armed with low expectations, lots of time, patience and a really good attitude, Mike and I left home at 5-46am this morning and headed for Caledon.
We took the coast road (Baden-Powell Drive). Google maps said it was about 52 minutes to Somerset West from our house (instead of 1 and a half hours on the N2). It was free-flowing the whole way. The coast road was crazy busy in the other direction. We must have passed about 500 cars. I stopped counting at 200 and only started counting after we realised there were so many. So the only down side was 500 sets of headlights passing by.
We rolled into Caledon at 7-15am and went to the Fresh Stop for our first cup of coffee of the day. Shew we needed it. We sat down and enjoyed it. Then we took a leisurely drive to the Home Affairs and arrived at 7-45am. We were 8th in the queue. The doors open at 8am. They were not a minute late.
The Caledon Home Affairs staff are relaxed and friendly. I put on my best Home Affairs attitude. I was super friendly, upbeat and chatty. I wanted the best passport photo I could get. I was determined to have a tiny little smile. I really didn’t want my passport photo to look like I had just been arrested. The guy doing the photo said, “don’t smile.” The more he said it, the more I couldn’t help it. It didn’t make him cross. It just made him smile. I checked the photo – there was a tiny smile – very little, so he let it go. My right eye came out a bit weird, but it has character. When I get my passport back and whenever I look at it in the ten years to come, I will smile at that photo. Today I created a memory.
After the photo, I got in the queue for the paperwork. Everything is electronic. The lady that dealt with me was nothing less than sweet and friendly. She updated my information and processed the application efficiently and with no stress. I entered the building at 8am. I was done by 8-45am. I told the staff how wonderful it was – how friendly – how stress free – I told them of the lengthy queues and stressed out officials in Cape Town and how long the wait was and how everyone complains. I made friends with everyone!
Just note their office hours…
5 Stars for you Caledon Home Affairs. I’ll be back!
It was not only my passport that we needed. Mike applied for his new ID (it was stolen in 2016). He got that done as well. Huge sense of satisfaction achieving these two goals.
#690 of my 1000 thanks is for new passport and Mike’s ID successfully and painlessly sorted!
We are in Caledon for the next couple of days. We checked in early and have hung out here the whole day. It’s been a beautiful day ahead of the rain tomorrow….
Breakfast was a long time ago. I think Mike and I should go find an early supper. 🙂
Job 12:13
To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.
These are the days. Oh yes.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂