We went to get our passports today and alhamdulillah, as I predicted, it was a lot easier than I expected. Of course, there were a few interesting moments, such as when the taxi driver dropped us off in some totally different place, but alhamdullillah it could have been a lot harder. The Markaz Al-Diwan guide helped a lot as we kind of knew what to expect in terms of the whole process. First you have to fill out the application, then buy stamps for it, and then finally submit the entire application along with a photo, and photocopies of the visa and front page of the passport. We were a little tense when the lady who was reviewing our application got up and went to talk with her supervisor. We knew there might be problems because of us having two passports, the new and the old, but everything turned out alright. We even managed to get a three month visa instead of just a one month.

We realized what a blessing to know at least some Arabic when we saw this lady from America trying to get her three-month visa. The officer was trying to help her, but he hardly knew any English and she didn't know any Arabic. That tension...you could cut through it with a knife.

~Ameer