Have Passport Will Travel

For weeks, we’ve talked about nothing but “Princess Open Book's” holiday to Tofo, Inhambane, Mozambique, (aka Anna). The child is tired, overworked, stressed, and fatigued, and needs to detoxify from all her physical, mental, and emotional toxins. We’ve sent lists of what to have, what to take, what not to do, what to do, what to see, and what to encounter, and, of course, the usual debate: “Should we take malaria tablets?” Of course, you must; that’s not debatable; it’s a given. We Google everything about malaria.

We were excited and, like most parents, mapped their every move from home to the airport, to Johannesburg, and finally to Tofo. In my mind’s eye, I saw them take off, land at Inhambane airport, the mayhem of the most unique airport still in existence, the chaos, the people, finding the taxi, and the frenetic journey to the house on the beach. But I knew that double-checking the passport's validity beforehand would have saved us from the chaos and stress of last-minute panic. Always verify that your passport is valid before travel to avoid last-minute surprises and unnecessary worry.

The search was long and arduous. Fortunately, the housekeeper and house sitter were there to start this daunting task. Every cupboard was unpacked, every pocket, every handbag, every toiletries bag. A search was launched behind beds, in cupboards, and under side tables, the words “it’s always in the last place you look” ringing like a siren in their ears. She flew back to Cape Town, and I’m sure all she thought about was that passport. The search continued into the night. Gone like mist before the sun, heralding the end of the holiday. They’ll be trudging back to work on Monday, still more stressed and tired.

Moral of the story. CHECK YOUR PASSPORT, CHECK IT, CHECK IT, CHECK IT. LET IT BE THE FIRST THING YOU PACK AND THE FIRST THING YOU CHECK WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS. All the clichés come to mind: “have a passport, will travel”; have no passport, and you stay at home. Make sure your phone is fully charged, too. Parents worry, fret, and get ulcers when kids are unhappy.

Poor Precious burst into tears when he spoke to his son, who had to pick up Missy from the airport and help with the search. We were gutted, sad, and disappointed. Guess who’ll be getting a safe for Christmas this year? My passport is valid for another 9 years, and it's in Precious' little clutches. I have no worries on that score.