Absurdity continued...Value Added Tax

So I tried to withdraw some U.S. currency today in preparation for my trip to New York.

I had to go inside the bank since the ATM machines only distribute EC dollars.

Me:  “Can I get $200.00 U.S. please?”

Teller:  “You know there are bank charges to use this card?”

Me:  “What are the charges?”

Teller:  “2%.”

Me:  “Okay, that’s fine.”

Teller: “And I have to charge you 10% VAT.”

Me:  “You want to charge me VAT to withdraw money?”

Teller:  “Yes, you have to pay VAT on everything you purchase with a card.”

Me:  “ How about if I get EC dollars from the ATM and then bring them in here to exchange for U.S.?”

Teller:  “I still have to charge you VAT.”

Me:  “But I’m not buying anything, I’m just exchanging money.”

Teller: “It’s the same thing, you’re using EC to buy U.S.”

Me: “Really?

Teller: “Would you like to do the exchange?”

Me: “Is it April 1^st?

Teller: “What?”  

Me:  “Never mind.”

And so it goes on October 9, 2012, still trying to process, on the Island of Ludicrous.

Just another paradox that defies logic and embraces absurdity...

At the Department of Immigration this morning:

“Good morning.  I called earlier and was told to come over. I’m a Peace Corps Volunteer and I need a passport stamp extending my Visa.” 

“We always stamp passports on Tuesday.”

“Okay, I’ll come back tomorrow then.”

“We probably won’t have the stamp tomorrow.”

“But I’m leaving on Wednesday for New York and I need the extension before I go.”

“There won’t be any problem.”

“So, I should come back tomorrow for the stamp?”

“No, you already have a stamp.”

“But the date on the stamp I have expires before I’m scheduled to return from New York. I’ll need to come back tomorrow for the stamp, or I can leave my passport and pick it up tomorrow since it’s Tuesday?”

“We always usually stamp on Tuesday, but we probably won’t do it this Tuesday.”

“Should I stop by tomorrow to see if you have the stamp?”

“Probably not.”

“What should I tell Immigration when I get back and they see that my Visa has expired?”

“You won’t have to tell them anything, you already have a stamp.” 

And so it goes, Monday, October 8, 2012. 

Stuff to talk about...later

Everything is finally in order for the 2012 Federal Parliament presentation of the 25 Most Remarkable Teens in St. Kitts and Nevis ceremony on November 14, 2012.  I will be posting the names of the honorees in a later blog, including the profiles of each recipient.

I’ll also share the story behind the organization and implementation of this highly successful project, and the story of those who would have had it fail, but that too, will come at a later time.  Unfortunately, it’s a story of small-minded people and truly represents the ugly side of human nature.

I’ll be leaving for New York next week and I’m very excited that I’ll be seeing my daughter Sarah and spending a couple of weeks in the city I love more than any city in the whole world.  If only I could find a job there…

I’ll be returning to St. Kitts on October 18 and will spend the next few weeks finalizing preparations for the November 14th ceremony, and sorting through all the stuff I’ve accumulated in my two plus years, both at my office and my house.  Shipping some things home – not much I want to keep – and having a yard sale for the rest.

My landlady told me yesterday that I’ll have to pay an electricity bill that she expects will be about $1,800 before I’m cleared to leave in November.  Last October – that’s right October 2011 – lightening struck my meter, making it necessary for the meter to be replaced.  The people at Public Utilities took care of the replacement in late November, but no one has shown up to read the meter since.  I’ve made multiple trips to the Department of Electricity – stood in the hour plus line several times now – only to be told that the reading on the meter remains at 0.  Trying to reason with the man behind the cage by  explaining that I’d read the meter just that morning and it registered 1204 didn’t work, threatening that I would be returning to the U.S. soon and leave behind a huge unpaid bill didn’t work either.  Basically, the man said that they’d get to it when they get to it.

I’ve been thinking about what I’ll miss when I leave here and I realized it’s not things or places that I‘ll miss, but my overall approach to life.  The simple quiet I’ve learned to enjoy; living life in the present.  The feeling I get when I walk down the main street of town and locals greet me as though I’ve lived here always.  And of course, the kids I’ve come to know after spending a year mentoring and sharing their dreams for a life well lived.

These are just a few of my favorite things.

And so it goes on October 3, 2012.