Visas and all the trouble they cause

So Krakow is a go, but now I need a Visa to go there. The original story was that because we would be leaving Poland during our stay, we wouldn't need a visa as they are only for continuous stays of more than 60 days. But a new law was passed that changed the rules (as laws are wont to do). So now you need a visa if you will be in the Schengen territory for 60 days. And I don't know the exact boundaries of this territory, but it has been described to me as Europe. So there's that. I must get a visa.

Things the Polish consulate wants before they will give me a visa:

1. For me to travel to their office in Toronto, wait in line for a few hours, then be interviewed.
2. For me to present the interviewee with the following: a reason to be in Poland for an extended stay, two passport sized photos of myself, my passport, proof that I have enough money to support myself for the first few months, proof that I'll leave when I say I will, and proof of health insurance. All this plus a pretty hefty form.
   
3. For me to leave all that stuff in their care for a week or so.
4. For me to come back in a week and pick up my brand new visa and my passport. They are going to keep all that other stuff, so I best be giving them copies.
   

In a way I suppose this visa business is a blessing. It has hastened my deadlines and now I am getting things done.

I now have my plane tickets! (Leaving on Sept. 3 and coming back Dec. 28). And health insurance! (along with cancellation insurance, luggage insurance, and other kinds of insurance that my mom assures me are needed) And once I get the passport pictures taken for my visa, I'm going to get myself an international student card, and an international driver's permit.

I like to think that having an international driver's permit makes me a cultured woman of intrigue. Please allow me this delusion.

P.S. I did some quick googling (because I'm a well researched blogger and all) and have found a list of the countries that are in on this Schengen business: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden + Norway and Iceland.

Also does this post need a picture or what? Here is a picture of Wawel Castle, in Krakow. I swiped this picture from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/poland/krakow-wawel-cathedral.htm and it is copyrighted by one D. Danzig. Pretty huh? I'm totally gonna walk there.