A Belarus Visa Wrapped in Red Tape

 

By red tape, I really do men red tape, as Belarus is a country that is still rather communist and doesn't have one of the most open political systems.

So getting a visa has not been the easiest of tasks.

I had to go to the Belarus Embassy three times; queue up on the Thursday and then find out it shut at twelve-thirty, join a queue at eight-thirty on the Monday and then wait for ninety minutes and then go back again the next day to get the visa.

Three trips at a cost of thirty or so pounds each and nearly a hundred and twenty for the visa itself. Rumours abounded that they'd put the price of the visa up for the period of the match!

Compare this with getting a Russian visa for the victorious Ipswich trip in 2001. The visa was included in the price of the package. On the other hand, I got a Russian visa to go and see the eclipse and guess what? The Russians cancelled the trip, as all their politicians and hangers-on wanted to go.

But at least I got one this time.

I should also say, that the Belarus Embassy tried a lot of peoples' patience. But England football fans just stood there and took it all.