Please Let Me In, I Promise to Leave

After completing visa applications for 10 countries, I'm beginning to pick up a theme running through most of them; you are welcome into the country as long as you can prove that you will be leaving. For example: Tanzania requires a copy of your bank statement to be sure that you have enough money to buy a ticket to leave the country (Just in case you lose your ticket??). Almost all of the applications require copies of your tickets for LEAVING the country. My favorite question on any of the forms is from the Kenya application: "Are you returnable to your country of residence/domicile?" My evil twin wanted to reply "No, but I can be exchanged for an item of equal or lesser value." Of course, I would never say that! Believe it or not, the easiest application was for China - only one page with simple logical questions. The toughest was Russia - 6 pages plus itinerary and copies of tickets. Their application was more detailed than any job application I've completed (my ex-husband's birthdate and birth place?) "Sonny, don't worry if Russian officials show up at your door. It's just my visa application." In addition to the application, I had to obtain all sorts of official documents from Russia to confirm that I have a place to stay every night. Only three weeks to complete all applications- but it's done. And now I'm just waiting for the FED EX guy to show up and take it all (with my passport) to Washington D.C. Wish me luck!! I am returnable, aren't I? Happy Trails, Marion