A major change is about to occur less than two months from now, requiring all U.S. travelers by land, sea or air to have a passport in order to enter Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and any of the Caribbean islands.  Since it takes up to seven weeks to process a new passport application some foresight is needed if you plan to travel anywhere in the western hemisphere after June 1, 2009.  If you have family in any of these areas, you will probably want to get a passport now to prevent having to wait if you need to make an emergency trip across the border.

The following are the only allowable options for U.S. citizens traveling outside our borders after June 1:

• Official U.S. Passport
• Official U.S. Passport Card
• Enhanced Driver’s License
• Travel Program Cards such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST
• Native American travel documents

With this crucial date looming in the very near future, there is sure to be a mad rush for passports.  Again:  be sure to plan ahead!!!

If you find yourself in a crunch, you may also consider using our expedited passport service which will help you get your new passport approved in far less time than the standard seven week.  Visit our main website to learn how: www.swiftpassportservices.com

…performed by a bunch of budding guitarists.  So cute!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u3HQcFeIbI]

Photo by Lucy Nieto

Los Pozas (”the Pools”) is a sculpture garden built by Edwards James, more than 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level, in a tropical rain forest in the mountains of Mexico. It includes more than 80 acres (320,000 m2) of natural waterfalls and pools interlaced with towering Surrealist sculptures in concrete.  (Wikipedia Article)

Apparently, a Japanese gentleman has taken refuge in a Mexican airport terminal and has been squatting there since September 2 of this year.

The Tokyo native flew into Mexico with a tourist visa and a return ticket home, but he never left the airport. In an interview Thursday alongside the airport McDonald’s, he said he had no motive for his extended stay and doesn’t know how much longer he’ll remain.

“I don’t understand why I’m here,” he said through a visiting interpreter originally hired by a television station. “I don’t have a reason.”

The embassy can’t force him to leave, and since Nohara’s visa is valid all Mexican officials can do it wait for it to expire in early March.

Read the full story here…

I guess it’s as good a place as any to spend your vacation!

Click photo for a larger view!