Just got a call from the woman in the Immigration department who's handling the extention of our Indonesian residence visas. Almost no foreigner I have met deals directly with the Immigration department. They wisely get an agent and communicate in English or Dutch or whatever and usually it all goes smoothly. But I like to try to do everything I can with locals in Indonesian. As a result it alls takes more time and is more complicated.
Last time we waited for seven months wondering what the heck was going on. It cost over $500 each and we did entertain doubts. Seven months she had our passports and we had no proof that we had visas and she and I had hundreds of comminications, mainly texting, and she almost always said it would be ready in a day or two and don't worry. She says that was the first time and this time it's just an extention for another year and it will be quick and easy. Someone listening to our phone conversation would be so impressed with my Indonesian. They'd say, "Oh my gosh you're fluent!" If they understood what I was saying though, they would say, "Why don't you get an agent?" So here's my end of the conversation in English.
Hello.
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Oh - good evening. How are you?
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Fine thank you.
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I'm sorry but I didn't understand all of that though I got a bunch of words like photos and telephone. Do you want us to get new photos?
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Oh good. So we don't need to get new photos?
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Wait. Excuse me. Could you repeat that slower?
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Yes I understood some of it. I want to make something clear here. Is there anything we need to do?
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Good. So you don't want anything from Katrinka or me?
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You're just calling to say everything is okay because I asked you to keep in touch so we don't worry. Right?
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Good. So all we have to do is wait?
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Good. So we'll just wait and you'll call. Right?
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Good. How long do you think it will take? A week more?
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Yes I sort of understood. We'll wait and you'll call. Good. Thanks for communicating.
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Yes I will say hi to her and please say hi to your kids for me.
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Thank you.
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See you later.