On my journey, it is the first time I tarried this long. 70 days of idleness is annoying and frustrating for me. It was only the visa I was waiting and I was unaware about the whereabouts. I was given a code to check the processing description and I was unable to retrieve any information from it.

8:30 in the morning of 29th November, I was in a microbus for my 13th visit to immigration. A message tone rang on my mobile which said my application had been finalized and I need t collect my documents. I didn’t actually understand what the message meant. Whatever it meant, I was on my way to Embassy. Dilemma on my head weather the visa was refused or granted; I was anxious. On acceptance, I could move ahead on my journey and on Denial, I should return back to Nepal and restart the journey.

There was a long line in the immigration. It took around an hour to reach the inquiry desk. All the time my heart was beating hard and I was scared. I was a little satisfied when I got a chance to help a lady carrying her little child. I was worried because on denial of application, I had to leave my tour and return back to Nepal to restart my journey again.

On reaching the desk, I was on cloud nine to get notified that I was granted with visa till February 2013. How could I hold the happiness alone! I rushed to Embassy of Nepal to share my happiness and express gratitude. It was some wonderful moments with Hon. Ambassador Arun Dhital and Bharat Regmi. Before leaving, they assured me to provide any sort of assistance for my further trip. This added more happiness in me. After, I returned Johannesburg, I shared the good news to all my friends, respected individuals and well wishers. All of them were happy that my tour was on the track once again.

The 70 days in Johannesburg were challenging. Yet, the company with Nepalese helped me make it a little comfortable. My days were moving with me along, Pretoria, Kempton Park, Alex and Marlboro.

Now, I shall be on my journey very soon. With all the stored energy, I believe I could move ahead with a better way and a better speed to confer the message of Peace and environmental protection. From Monday, 3rd of December, I will start applying visa for my upcoming countries- Botswana, Namibia, Angola and so on. By the early 2013, I will be on my way to add numbers to my 91213 Km journey and 88 countries.

I shall be updating soon.

Peace and Harmony,
Furtemba Sherpa