In a Five Step Process, We Have Seven More To Go: THE END

Wow, after several minor headaches and setbacks in the actual car buying process, the actual re-registration process could not have been easier. DRJ was not volunteering to go to with me to Kaliti and knowing that he is a busy man (who is supposed to be on vacation after the birth of his son a week before Micah), I ventured into the large warehouse-like building by myself. I talked with the information desk lady who actually smiled at me when I had communicated what I wanted. She was very helpful to tell me what windows I needed “buy a form at window 20 and then go to 14” she said in Amharic. When I got to window 20, I explained what I wanted again and the two young ladies gave me the standard form (for two birr of course). I had seen the form before, and even filled it out for other processes (like getting a driver’s license), however, it is all in Amharic and it would take me painstakenly long to try to figure out which box I wanted to check. So I just asked the lady, which one do I want? She smiled, took the form and the old vehicle registration and filled out the whole form for me “just take it to window 13.” No problem. Window 13 had a few people crowded around it, but nothing like earlier days. One guy saw me looking at everybody else’s paperwork as I fumbled through my own and to my surprise he came over to me and started telling me exactly what the lady behind the window was looking for “the original sales document and original receipt for sales tax, a copy of your ID card, etc.” Once I assembled everything, with his help, we placed it on the counter in front of the lady and so it was in process. The guy then told me to go and buy a stamp (like a postage stamp), which meant a trip to window #9 where I found what I was looking for. I was asked to fill out one more paper with my name and address and that was about it. Soon I was handed a new title deed for the vehicle. Of course, one person’s stamp is not enough so I was sent to window 16 where that guy stamped it as well. Finished. The truck is now officially registered in our name, well, if I read the name on the title literally it says “Trahveestoad Willeeyamsen” Instead of Travis Todd Williamson. But that’s ok, it’s closer than usual. I just thank God for an easy ending to the process. Well, I suppose I now have to change the insurance…maybe tomorrow.