My Passport Passion–It’s Arrived!

Posted by Kara Kostanich Categories: Blog

Do you have a prized possession? Something you just can’t live without? The one thing that you’d run for if your house was burning down? My most cherished possession: look up. Seems silly, but it’s true. I love my passport. It’s my ticket to adventure and a memoir of magical memories.

In August when my little blue book was nearing its final days—I couldn’t even consider the idea of mailing it to the Department of State for a new one. Yes—they mail it back—but what if mine got lost?

Instead I let it expire. Not a smart move for a news reporter. What if something happened that involved travel? In 2005 after the deadly tsunami hit Indonesia my passport took me to the far corners of Sumatra to cover the devastation.

When September rolled around not a week went by that I didn’t think about my expired ticket that was suppose to get me to my next possible story. Still, I couldn’t bare the thought of putting my passport inside a bottomless envelope and in the hands of someone I didn’t know.

That’s because that small weathered book took me all over the world. It’s represents so much of who I am. Every single page perfectly full of stamps and visas.

After all, I am a custom agent’s worse nightmare. I like my stamps to be arranged so they’re readable and organized. Some officials think it’s funny. Other times I wondered if I was going to clear customs in the country I was visiting. Especially during those situations when I didn’t speak the language and used my finger to show where I wanted their counties mark in my vast stamp collection. Yeah. Call me the Passport Diva.

So last Friday morning I went to the Passport Agency in Miami to get my new blue ticket to international freedom. To qualify for a passport at a regional agency you have to provide proof of international travel within 14 days of applying. The best part—you leave with your passport in hand.

Except there was a catch, which I learned after I arrived at the agency. To leave with your passport the same day–you have to wait until 4pm.

I ended up leaving it after all. So all the worry I did for months—pointless. Today I now I have my new passport and my beloved old one too. Lesson learned—let go!

Inside they doubled the pages from 24 to 51 since my old passport was full. Maybe it’s a sign as to what’s in store for the next 10 years? This Passport Diva can only hope!

Till next time…Carpe Diem!