Lauren

Water Damaged Passport

It was only going to be a couple of weeks until I saw my Husband again! I have been so excited and counting down the days since I arrived back in England, but now I will not be going to India for Diwali.

I was sitting on my sofa, flicking through my passport, inspecting the stamps and visas from my previous travels and the water marks on the pages caught my eye. Then I realised what had happened. I used my passport as proof of identity when collecting a package on a rainy day. The water had made a big purple bubble in the corner of my biodata page, water had even found my visa. 

I was holding a water damaged passport.

Frantically searching through the pages that Google threw up, I tried to see if I could still travel to India on this passport. All of the forums, websites and blogs said the same thing, passport: invalid. I started to hyperventilate… there is not enough time to get a new passport for Diwali. I had to sit down. The thought of seeing my Husband soon has pulled me through these past couple of months but due to my own carelessness, I’m stranded here.

That same day my manager told me I might not be able to take the full 3 weeks I had planned to take (even though I am entitled to this much holiday) because it is so close to Christmas and the pharmacy is at its busiest during this time. I had already thought my plans might be ruined… but now the purple smear confirmed it. 

I can't travel to India on a water damaged passport

Together, my Husband and I tried to think of a solution to this passport problem. I was going back and forth on whether I should try and risk it. One second I would be confident that I wouldn’t have any problems because all the information itself on the passport is clear… but the next minute I was certain that they would not let me leave Heathrow with a passport in this state.

Slowly we came to terms with the fact that we are going to have to endure some more separation. I could come in February instead, the exact midpoint of our twelve month separation. If I had gone to India for Diwali we would have had to endure the nine months after Diwali without seeing each other! At least when we are saying goodbye at Mumbai in February,  we will be seeing each other again in six months.

It has been a roller-coaster of emotions but we now feel that going in February is a good idea (when looking at the big picture- I would give anything to get on a plane right now!!). I miss my Husband so much, I cannot even put into words how much it hurts.

I have already bought a protective cover (US, UK, India) for when my new passport arrives!

UPDATE: what actually happened next…

27 comments

  1. I am so sorry to hear that you will not be able to go to India for Diwali. Still the time will fly soon, and February will be here very soon. They always say that the absence makes the heart grow fonder. So it could be a blessing in disguise, on the positive side. I think you could take a chance if you happen to have the photocopies of original passport pages (i.e. undamaged) that the immigration officer can accept and approve for your entry in India (assuming you will meet a kind and considerate Indian immigration officer). But as you said correctly, it’s not worth taking the risk.

    Thanks for sharing this story. Take care!

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  5. ah. i can only imagine what you are going through. i know how hard it is with the long distance and the constant want to be close to your husband. after i got married i had to wait for visa in india cause my husband works in the US. all the best and i hope time flies and you get to see ur husband soon.
    take care.
    ps. you look so beautiful with the bindi and eye liner 🙂 very indian bride like.

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  6. There is a possibility to get UK passport from HM Passport Office in 24 hours. See the link below. It is more expensive, about £100, but it might save you time. There must be a way to avoind waiting for months. Did you check in INdian Embassy in London if they can issue visa in urgent procedure?
    https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

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  9. So sorry to hear that.O_O.
    But things will be back to normal pretty soon Lauren. You & ur husband decided the right thing: Not worth the risk but it definitely is worth the wait. 🙂
    Captivating blog by the way & Congratulations on the Indian Wedding! 🙂

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  12. That’s really bad… but always keep in mind one thing Lauren.. that whatever happens, it happens for good… so don’t worry.. 🙂 feb is not so far….

    but May i ask you a question? why are you leaving far from him? (a new reader on y our blog) 😦

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    • I am actually going to be moving to India permanently on the 27th of this month!

      I had to return to UK to do a year of training… since then I really could not live without my husband and have had health problems. So I am returning to live with him forever soon.

      I hope you are well dear, thank you for following!! x

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    • It seems like a dream (a bad dream)… but reflecting on this, it had to happen. If it didn’t, I might not be here in India with my husband!! It all played out quite mysteriously… that is why I think you might find your visa issue a blessing in disguise- you never know!! 😀 ❤

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  16. Hey Lauren,

    Should admit – your blog has been the BEST I had ever read ! Reflect your raw and true emotions in your relationship. In this age where majority of us in India are running behind material things. Your blog is a breath of fresh breeze to be happy with the simple & little things in life. I understand what you going through living in India ( at times weird folks around,the stares,communication gap,cultural difference ) but would say it is worth it for your future !
    God bless you !

    Anil

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