One of the dangers of living in a foreign country is that, because of bureaucracy, things can get kind of hairy sometimes. You know, for example, the powers-that-be might have changed the rules on what kind of international driver’s licenses are accepted and you wouldn’t know it until you were stopped and charged with driving without a valid license. They don’t exactly publicize these types of things very well.
So, it is true…my husband could go to jail today, because just a few weeks ago, in an accident that was not his fault, he was charged with driving without a valid license. For the past eight years we’ve used the AAA international driver’s license. We’ve been stopped at checkpoints. We’ve registered our cars and performed all DMV related activities using these driver’s licenses. But, because the police department has recently computerized their system (I know, what is this, 1985?), they will no longer recognize the AAA license.
Apparently in Brazil, driving without a valid license carries a fine and a sentence of 6 months to a year detention. I am alternately laughing at the ridiculousness of this and furrowing my brow at the possibility that someone along the process will either want to punish the American or extort money from him.
I’ll let you know what happens…
In other news, I’m seriously coveting a trip to the SCBWI LA conference and the Lee Bennett Hopkins morning Poetry Workshops. Lee is unofficially my poetry godfather (as I imagine he is for many of you). He recently accepted 2 of my poems for an easy reader anthology he’s compiling and I’ve had a blast bantering back and forth with him about the poems. But alas, the workshop is out of the question for me this year. . . hmm. . . unless. . . perhaps Lee has always wanted to visit Brazil? : )
Kristy Dempsey 
That’s really scary! I hope things work out–
Thanks. Me too!
I’ll keep your husband in my thoughts today — you, too!
Love your sense of humor, even when times are scary. Jail House Rock: too funny.
Thank you. I really am feeling calm. I know conceivably things could turn ugly but I just can’t believe they would actually put him in jail. Things are just never consistent here though, so we have no way of knowing what they will do!
I really hope everything works out well for your husband.
Thanks! I’m sure it will. Completely. Almost. 99.9%. 🙂
yikes!!! thoughts for the hubby – and you, too. I assume you’ve contacted the embassy?
Not yet. We contacted a Brazilian judge that we know well, which ultimately might ensure more help than the embassy at this point. If things go poorly, I’ll be on the phone with the embassy this afternoon.
but your honor, I went to driving school at SEARS!!! SEARS!!! I tell you!!!
I assume the wheels of politics in Brazil are also greased by the almighty dollar.
Let us know if we can do anything to help!
ACK! I hope all goes well! Keeping my fingers crossed for your hubby.
Thank you! We’ve called in all the reinforcements and we’ve all got our fingers crossed too!
That’s scary. I know that living in a foreign country can be unpredictable. I’ll be thinking of you guys!! Good for you to keep your sense of humor! As always, you know it’s great feed for the writing mill!
Oh, I’m glad you reminded me of that. I need to be making notes.
Oh, man. What a nightmare! I hope things work out smoothly and cheaply for you!
Cheaply would be very nice, especially right now!
Yeesh, I’m hoping good things for your husband!
Thanks, Robin!
Thanks, Robin!
Extorting money seems like the more likely scenario to me. I hope it turns out not to be a ginormous deal.
Congrats on getting your poems accepted (mine weren’t. Sigh.) But Lee is a truly lovely man.
I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this today. My fingers are crossed that everything works out smoothly.
(And congrats on the anthology. How cool!)
Wishing all good things for your husband and you, Kristy. Yikes, what a nightmare! And a major WA-HOOOO on LBH accepting your poems for his book. Now that’s a dream come true 🙂
I will be praying for you guys. Hugs.
Tell Elvis to keep his Jailhouse Rock to himself. Hope things work out okay for you guys.
Kristy, I’m so sorry to read this! Ack and gah and yipe! I’ll say a prayer for him, hey, maybe a whole rosary!
Okay, this puts things into persepective. Good luck!! What a scary thing!!
Oh dear!
We’ll be thinking of you up here in South Carolina! Yikes. As for SCBWI LA – I am going to be there, but I won’t be in the poetry strand – I already want to attend about three workshops each session…
Good luck!!!
Yikes, Kristy. Hoping for the best.
Keep us posted.
What a scary thought. Best wishes that everything turns out okay.