So Turkey let me back in. Yay!
For those not familiar with the bureaucratic gyrations, I have been waiting for my year-long residence permit card to be delivered. The website says that it will be sent within 30 days, common knowledge says about 30 days from the interview. I did the interview on 11/21 and we flew out 12/25.
The card was delivered 12/26 – of course!
Technically, I was legal to leave the country because I had done my interview and received my ‘yabanci kimlik numerasi’ – my foreigner identity number – but the rules say I can only leave for 15 days until my card arrives. Our trip was 19 days.
Coming back the possible penalties ranged from a stern lecture to being escorted out of the country until I was able to get a new tourist visa, in effect being homeless for two months.
Instead I had to present my passport and a letter from the yabanci wranglers (thanks Ayhan, you’re the best!) to the Chief Passport officer. I got a tiny slip of paper that said something in Turkish and the junior passport officer stamped my passport without so much as a bad word.
Plan B was to fly to Greece for two months, so yay and boo.
Not Rocket Surgery 