Passport Renewal Time

Above, en route to Key West and Havana three years ago. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

My U.S. Passport is about to expire in a month from now. It seems like I just renewed it. But that was ten years ago. It is incredible at how time flies when one gets older. 

I went to the local Walgreens to get my Passport photos made yesterday. It is funny that as one gets older, they prefer wearing eyeglasses as they help hide the bags under one's eyes. But, the State Department doesn't want eyewear in Passport photos. Such is life.

I'll be completing the required form and mailing my old passport along with the fee and photos today. Passport renewal fee: $130.

Right now, I don't know when or where (except Japan) where I may need it. But you don't know when something may come up that's too enticing to pass up. Such was the case of the cruise I took three years ago to Havana, Cuba. My friend, Mitch Geriminsky, found a cruse deal for just under $500 that took us from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Key West and Havana and told me about it. I never contemplated ever visiting Cuba, but it was too interesting to pass up (especially at that price), so I went. I am glad I did. That was the last time I needed to use my Passport.

So, if some overseas trip should come up, or even if I never travel overseas again, it is better to have a valid Passport just in case. Like guns, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it an not have it.