I made a cup of tea for myself at 6 a.m. All the hostellers are fast asleep. Most of the Spanish had come early morning after their celebrations of Spanish win of final of Euro football 2012 cup. I had a good opportunity to take shower. I decided to leave at 8 am for Indian Embassy and then to Moldovian Embassy to get transit visa to Chisinau. There is no embassy of Moldova in India and also I did not find in any other CIS countries except now in Kiev.
Bus no 18 stops at Maidan Nezalez or independence square in the last. I found McDonald restaurant just in front of the bus stop. Breakfast for 27 Graney was good at normal price. Then boarded the metro and got down at Dorohozhyehy stop. It took me a little time to find out direction to Maxima Berlinskoga and 20-25 minutes’ walk to reach Indian Embassy. I had to ask couple of times and people were very helpful in giving directions (sometime wrong also, unintentionally)
I was not happy with the fact that the Embassy is so far away. Later I came to know that this is a rented building and a new building which is 9 storied is being built. I did not understand why such a big building is required. Any how I reached over there and met Mr. Khan, Charge de affair and explained to him my travel and what I need is a letter from them for Moldovian Embassy. Khan was in a hurry. He had to go to the airport but he told his P.A. Kuljeet Singh to do the needful if he finds any mail from their ministry. Kuljeet was friendly and we talked in Punjabi. He typed a letter, showed me for any addition which I did and finally gave me the letter with a carbon copy. Kuljeet also gave me a print out map of the embassy which was very useful later. I had a cup of tea that you always expect when visiting your Embassy but not has been always offered. Sometimes the excuse is that lady who makes tea is not there (Tea is always prepared by a local woman). I thanked him and came out.
Now again I had to walk to the metro station and change line near to Moldovian embassy. But it was not easy. The embassy was in a by lane and no one had a clue of it. It took me long time walking in the sun and asking many people who were willing to help in giving directions but weren’t essentially correct. In fact there was a major road and I crossed it twice in different directions. Finally it was the Taxi driver who gave the correct direction but it was again a long walk. It was 12 50pm when I reached the Embassy where there was not a blade of shade. It was closed and no one answered the bell. Banging the gate brought a woman coming and telling me by a gesture of five fingers to wait for 5 minutes. Someone opened the door at 1.05 and asked to come in. There was an English speaking person who was interpreting for the visa counselor. I gave them my Indian embassy letter and my passport. They asked me to sit down and wait. After 15 minutes I got a slip to deposit 485 Graney (48 Euro) in their bank account. The bank address was written on the slip in local language. They would be waiting for me to come back. I saw on the map of Kiev (I bought one) that if I take metro it would take 2-3 hrs. I decided to hire a taxi but there was no taxi around. I walked two kms by lanes and came to an open area.
Here I met two young guys who knew enough English and working in a wholesale shop. One of them tele-phoned his friend who is a taxi driver. He reached there in less than 20 minutes. The deal was that taxi will take me to the bank and wait till I deposit the money and drive me back to the Embassy for 5 Euro. It was a good deal and worked very well. I was back at 2.15pm. There were some more people waiting for visa. I pressed the bell and after 2nd bell the counselor came and took my papers and passport. Visa section would open at 3pm. I got my passport for 5 days transit visa at 3.30 I never expected that it could happen so fast. I decided to take a bus to maidan so that I could see the city which one cannot do in metro.
Kiev is a bigger city in any CIS countries which I have seen so far. Tashkent of course is big and beautiful. Outside temperature is 32 degree as displayed boldly. I had cheese patty and coke at McDonalds. Cold drink which I normally do not take was refreshing at this time. I spent couple of hours walking up to the cathedral square, taking pictures. Then walked back to take 18 no. bus for the hostel. On my way back I got Quesadilla packed for dinner.
At the hostel there was a girl receptionist now, who was also a student of tourism. All students here are engaged in some part time work. I had a good shower. A housekeeping woman has cleaned the apartment well after the departure of Spanish football fans. For the evening I bought bottle of beer for 10 Graney (a bottle of water is also available at same price) from the kitchen fridge. Receptionist told me that Mariais the owner of the hostel and she will come tomorrow at 10.30 am to meet me. I phoned Kuljeet and Khan that I got visa and thanked them. While Mr. Khan asked me to visit Embassy again if possible. I will definitely phone him.
My plans will change with 5 days transit visa. I thought I’d get 48 hrs visa for transit but now it is better to leave for Chisinau which is cheaper than Kiev. Moreover there is nothing more to do. Receptionist found out that day bus runs after couple of days, so I’ll have to catch the night bus. Advance booking is not necessary for the same. I enjoyed dinner of quesadilla and beer in the dining hall. It has been a long and tiring day but rewarding also to get visa within hours. I am thankful.
No comments:
Post a Comment