It is confirmed - My spouse Chris ( @artist1989 ) and I are going to SteemFest :) We are so excited!!!
It was not an easy process for us. We were pretty sure we were not going to be able to go. Chris was born in Germany, and did not have any of the paperwork that proved he was a US citizen. I spent over 10 hours on the phone with various government agencies, and filled out numerous forms to get the paperwork we needed for his passport - but everything seemed like it would not make it in time. One of them cost $550, and they said it would take 13 months to process!
We tried to talk ask his parents, but they said that they didn't have any of the paperwork either. We asked if they could double/triple check, since it seemed like the only way we could get his passport. They said they would, but they were pretty sure they didn't have it. A few days later, they emailed us back and said they found it! His citizenship paperwork was being mailed to us as certified mail :)
We went into the passport office and filled out our applications. We paid extra to have them rushed, so we could get them ASAP. They just arrived today!
We got our hotel reservations at the "HF Lisboa" (home base):
Since this is both of our first times traveling outside the US, we thought it would be a good opportunity to visit Chris's birth mom in Germany. We leave for Germany on Friday October 27. We will stay there for a few days, and then fly from Germany to Lisbon on October 31. We'll be in Lisbon for the entire conference, and then fly home on November 6.
We are both super excited and look forward to meeting lots of you there!
The liquid rewards from this post will be donated to the SteemFest Travel Reimbursement fund - @t-r-f.
Excellent! Passport issues can be a drag! Glad you got it sorted in time, it can be really nerve wracking if you are up against a deadline!
Question, how does one apply/ register for Steemfest? Can anyone attend is there a max participants?
We are going to be in the area in that period and definitely want to come by but the website is still a template. https://steemfest.com/
Before we make reservations and such I'd like to be sure we can attend!
Good questions. Check with @roelandp.
We will stay there for a few days, and then fly from Germany to Lisbon on October 31. We'll be in Lisbon for the entire conference, and then fly home on September 6
I think there is a typo... it should be November 6
:-)
Yes, good catch! Thank you :) At least I made the plane ticket reservation for the right day, lol.
That's great! I'm happy for you guys. My spouse and I just made 21 years together last month...on my Steemit join date. We got legally married on the same date 7 years ago. I know you two will have a terrific time. Enjoy all of it, especially the time with his mom.
I came to your page to first of all thank you for your generous token of appreciation on my "Temple of the Secrets" post. What an exciting surprize, thank you so very much!!
I also enjoyed reading this post here, as it reminded me of the time when I lived in the US, Chicago to be precise. I'm German and live back here quite happily. Very special time in my life back then, but I did hate all the foreigner and immigration stuff. Finally had a greencard, but it was a hell of a trip to get it. So I quite well understand what you must have gone through.
Wish you a wonderful, safe and comfortable trip already and send a warm welcome to Germany in advance... may I ask, where exactly you will be?
I see you got your reservation for Lisbon already. But if you know somebody who is looking for a beautiful place to stay, an artist friend just sent me a link to their new vacation apartment... only on facebook, sorry, but let me know if you are interested
Greetings across the pond! wave wave
Thanks! In Germany, his mom lives near Frankfurt. I think we are all set for hotels, but I'll keep it in mind if I hear anyone is looking :)
The area around Frankfurt (am Main, I suppose) is among the most beautiful in all of Germany. I think you will really enjoy it... as well as the "family reunion" of course :-)
Again, a big cordial thank you for your upvotes!
This is exciting, I hope I am able to come with all the issues on my end, and winning the contest / SBD awhile back.
I hope so too! It would be great to actually meet you in person :)
I know, I have been thinking that for a long time and then tonite again, when I saw your post.
Trust me, with the activist watchlists I am on, if I have to start swimming there with my injuries, I am gonna do my best man, belieeeebbbbbbbbe dat!
Nite man, I am done my posts for the day trying to help new people on Forkening Day.
(:
Awesome news, wishing both of you a great trip and have a fantastic time! Make loads of memories :)
Thanks :)
Way to go, Tim! Hard work and some detective work have paid off! Wishing you a fabulous trip!
Thanks!
Glad things worked out. I wish I could go but I am still doing physical therapy and trying to heal as quickly as possible and I'm not sure if I'll be better in time for the event. I do hope to see lots of pictures and videos. Hopefully I'll be able to meet everyone soon though.
Congratulations Tim and Chris. So glad you get to go!
Thanks :)
Awesome!
SO EXCITING!
I am hoping to go this year also. Last year I sent @saramiller and @everlove in my stead as I had my first son being born the same week on the other side of the world!
Hope to see you there!
SteemON!
Woohoo! That is great news you two. And an added bonus being able to see Chris' birth mom in Germany.
Hope you and Chris have a good time at STEEMFEST!
Those passports can be revoked at any time.. your safer to escape and never return to the USA.
Be safe, be well...
Haha, thanks :)
Congratulations to you two... This is so exciting... Well enjoy your trip.. :-)
Thanks :)
Enjoy steemfest i wish i was there.
Thats cool! I need to get my act together so I can get my trip oversees going to! Have fun my tech support friend!
:)
Congrats! could I get some info about where is the Steemit Fest? I really want to go to know all this beautiful people!
https://steemit.com/steemfest/@roelandp/save-the-date-steemfest-2017-creamy-and-delicious-1-2-3-4-5-november-lisbon
Thanks so much @timcliff .... is @stellabelle the organizer?
The organizer of SteemFest? No. That is @roelandp.
Thanks very very much.. I reallly want to go there and meet a lot of beautiful people!, also get into the Hackathon to see in what can I make a plus for Steemit, I'll try to do my best..thanks @timcliff
wow, happy steemfest guys. We are excited too and looking forward to tell us your experience :D
That's exciting news for both of you-- hope you have an awesome time!
A US passport is probably the single most difficult piece of ID to get... but it's a super useful thing to have.
Yeah, so glad we finally got them. It was not easy! :)
All the best. Hope you guys have good fun going to Lisbon. 😎i can only get my Portuguese egg tarts from KFC.
wow paspor.. going im go... nice pos frien @timcliff
YES!!! That's awesome Tim! Wish I could go, but I know I will have no problem living it as if I was there, through your posts after the fact. I know you guys will have a great time!
Very fun trip especially for the first time out of the country for both of you !!!
Excellent news! I will see you both there!
What is steemfest?
It is a conference where tons of people from the Steem community get together and talk about Steem related things :)
https://steemit.com/steemfest/@roelandp/save-the-date-steemfest-2017-creamy-and-delicious-1-2-3-4-5-november-lisbon
Well congrats to you both ! Seems like you had to go trough some trouble but I bet it's worth it :)
i've just upvoted and resteemed this awesome article
Congrats to you both. Can't make it this time because it's the first birthday of my son. I will live vicariously through you.
Sorry we won't see you there :(
We'll try to post a ton of pictures though.
Congratulation @timcliff. Nice to meet you there 😀
So glade things worked out for the 2 of you in the end. Red tape always such a pain to deal with. I hope you guys get lots of photos of everything while you are out!!!
Chris is a photographer, so there should be lots of photos :)
Congrats @timcliff, I'm glad to hear that you'll be able to go to the greatest event in Steemit history! I'm looking forward to joining you guys in November - hope I can also get a chance to present at the conference!
Awesome, see you there :)
Thanks @timcliff!
Alas, I will not go to SteemFest, but I will gladly read the report!
congrats bro. Have a nice and safe journey.
That's pretty cool. Have fun!
blessings
Super awesome job! A will to participate in Steemfest can even get you to trace the long lost and almost untraceable citizenship paperwork. That's an achievement in itself! And shows your strong will too. Have a great time there and do update all those unfortunate souls who won't be attending it about all that you experience at the #SteemFest.
Will do. Thanks :)
This is really exciting! don't forget to write about your journey there!
Will do :)
Hey hey! Congrats guys! Have fun! I'm currently checking to get my passport. I'm not set yet whether I'll go or not.
Yeah, there is a lot to think about + plan. I know what you mean.
Amazing news!
Congratulations sir, glad to hear that... You are an amazing person
Thanks :)
Have a nice adventures @timcliff
Thanks :)
Your welcome bro
Thanks for share
woop woop!