The Spanish Consulate...

My experience with the Spanish Consulate in Toronto has been less than stellar.  The women who work there are not particularly friendly, and seem to get annoyed when you ask them questions.  For example, I showed up with a regular passport sized photo (as indicated online) for my visa.  The lady behind the desk made a big fuss about the size, despite my efforts to explain to her that the Spanish Consulate website has OK'ed this size photo.  She pulled out a document to "prove" to me that I had the wrong size.  I was trying to explain that the website is wrong, and I couldn't have known any different.

And another thing... the silly consulate is only open until noon each day... is this Spanish hours or something? How are they doing any service to anyone by only being open until noon?!  The first time I went down to the consulate, I was dissapointed to find the doors locked when I arrived at 12:30.  Their hours are not online... nor is much other information about the consulate.  They do give like 7 phone numbers... how I'm supposed to find out which one to call is beyond me.

My last frustration was that I didn't know they kept your passport during the 3 weeks they process the visa.  I made it all the way to the eastbound platform at yonge and bloor before realizing that I forgot to ask for my passport back.  So I sprinted back out of the subway and up to the consulate (being that it was 11:45 and they close at noon...).  2 subway tokens later I find out from the lady in a matter-of-fact way that they keep your passport until it's approved.  I lied and said I had to go to the states soon and needed it.  They said I could take it, but they wouldn't start processing the visa until I gave the passport back.  It's just a sticker that they put in! What if I had an emergency and had to cross the boarder? Would I have to get to the consulate before noon to retrieve my passport? Lame-o.

 And they moved in ultra slow motion.  This Spanish work ethic may be a reason for their recession...