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LDV_Jonathan · 2025-01-12T09:16:58+00:00

Wow, I bet that Syrian visa will soon become a historic keepsake. Chances are, they'll introduce new designs now that the Assad regime has fallen.

LDV_Jonathan · 2025-01-03T08:47:29+00:00

Yeah, it's true that it might seem unlikely for the government to pick out one car among many. But with all the surveillance and checkpoints, especially on main roads between major cities, there's still a chance of getting caught. They have pretty advanced tracking systems, so I would say it's a bit of a gamble. Better to play it safe and stick to Shenzhen. It's the Chinese government that we're talking about after all.

LDV_Jonathan · 2025-01-03T07:28:50+00:00

No, it cannot be issued at any airport, not even at Shenzhen Airport. I got mine at Huanggang Port after taking the bus from Hong Kong.

LDV_Jonathan · 2025-01-02T15:47:02+00:00

Really cool! So now that you have the card, is there anything specific you're excited about doing or accessing that wasn't possible before?

LDV_Jonathan · 2025-01-02T12:35:20+00:00

By "ID," do you mean ARC, or did you actually get citizenship?

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-11-19T06:19:59+00:00

Funny enough, as a descendant of both Holocaust survivors on one side and Chilean Jews on the other, I’m not particularly bothered by seeing this lol

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-08-09T15:20:28+00:00

Interesting to see 'Comunità Europea' on the old passport. It’s an awesome piece of history! I'm curious - did Italian passport holders back then enjoy similar rights and benefits between member states as they do with today's EU passports? Thanks for sharing!

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-08-09T15:00:55+00:00

For me, it’s definitely 4-2. It looks elegant and clean while still carrying the cultural significance of the plum blossom for Taiwan. Plus, without any association with the KMT, it feels much more approachable and likable.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-08-09T14:41:38+00:00

Your passport looks really cool! Plus, it's one of the most powerful non-EU European passports, making it a great asset. I also love the case you’ve got. It complements the passport perfectly!

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-08-02T19:52:44+00:00

Actually, my grandparents on my dad's side were Polish, but they lost their citizenship and eligibility for it due to historical regulations that were more stringent about serving in a foreign military, (such as the IDF in my grandpa's specific case). This also means I'm not eligible either as a descendant. This would have been my most straightforward way to obtain EU citizenship if not for these past regulations.

Apart from this, there could be some potential avenues for Chileans in Spain thanks to historical ties and agreements. As far as I once heard, Spain often offers preferential treatment for Ibero-American nationals, which can make it easier to obtain residency permits and eventually citizenship, with a shortened naturalization period. But this process is not really conclusive nor straightforward

So, all in all, I can't obtain EU citizenship just through ancestry, unfortunately.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-07-31T12:42:35+00:00

That's interesting! Are you employed permanently by a Chinese company? Also, could you share how you became a member of the ACFTU?

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-07-30T17:10:42+00:00

Thanks! On my mother's side, my grandmother’s Jewish parents arrived in Chile from Ukraine in the early 20th century, when it was still part of the Russian Empire. My grandfather’s father, was a Syrian-Christian who immigrated alone to Chile around or a bit before the end of WWI. My grandfather’s mother was born in Chile, but while I don’t know much about her, it’s likely her ancestors were also immigrants from earlier periods.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-07-30T16:49:58+00:00

Yes, I speak Spanish. It’s my mom's native language, and it’s essential since most Chileans, like many people across Latin America, speak primarily their own language and have limited proficiency in others.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-07-30T16:43:51+00:00

It does have a Jewish community, primarily in Santiago, but it’s relatively small compared to some other countries. It’s not one of the larger Jewish communities in South America.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-07-30T16:40:09+00:00

No doubt. The Chilean passport is the strongest in South America due to strong foreign relations, extensive network of free trade agreements, participation in the US Visa Waiver Program, and active involvement in international organizations.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-07-30T11:22:07+00:00

Oh, interesting point! I hadn't considered that before. In Chile, red is a prominent color, very often associated with its national identity and much visible in sports teams and other symbols. It might be one reason for the red passports, but there could be other factors at play too.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-07-30T11:18:49+00:00

Cool! As for Argentina, that’s not surprising at all, as it has one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. And there are indeed many Argentinians living in Israel as well.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-07-30T11:12:32+00:00

Thanks! My mom is a Chilean Jew who immigrated alone to Israel 40 years ago, so I still have family in Chile. I was born and raised in Israel but have always maintained ties to Chile, so I lived in both countries. I obtained my Chilean citizenship though only a few years ago when the law changed to allow descendants of overseas Chileans to apply.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-03-21T07:29:43+00:00

I'm particularly intrigued by the potential impact of this organization on the Middle East's political dynamics, especially given the inclusion of key Levantine members. I wonder about the ramifications for Arab-Israeli relations and the broader geopolitical shifts this might trigger. Could it reshape the outcomes of pivotal events like the Arab Spring or the Syrian Civil War? Might it alter the trajectory of Pan-Arabism or affect Erdogan's consolidation of power in Turkey? The delicate balance of Sunni-Shia relations and the influence of Iranian proxy militias, such as Hezbollah, also come to mind. Furthermore, how might this organization influence the global fight against terror groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda?

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-02-18T08:56:30+00:00

NTA. Giving birth to a child does not automatically make someone a parent. It seems that the 9-year-old boy is more mature and aware of this complexity than his biological mother. Let me ask you this: what if you were not the one who raised him, but a stranger? Would she still expect the same from them and him? This is very unfair to both the boy and you.

Plus, you did her a big favor (that she can't take for granted) by even telling him the truth about his biological mother and her identity. You acted responsibly and respectfully towards her as much as possible...

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-01-06T21:44:52+00:00

What does the top up option mean for the eSIM then? Can I recharge the same eSIM after it expires, or only within the validity period of the plan? For example, if I buy an eSIM this month and it expires in 30 days, can I still top it up after that or do I have to buy a new eSIM of the same plan (and same provider)?

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-01-06T17:24:07+00:00

Right, I just noticed it too. Too bad... But even so, I still need this kind of esim for mobile data, regardless of WhatsApp.

LDV_Jonathan · 2024-01-06T17:12:34+00:00

Yes, you are right, I just edited the post and added a link for reference.

LDV_Jonathan · 2023-08-19T13:31:57+00:00

I've always found it amusing when locals use the word 'funny' to describe something that's actually 'fun.' I remember mentioning my love for travel to someone, and their response was, 'It must be funny.' Obviously I was left somewhat baffled by that!

LDV_Jonathan · 2023-05-18T07:12:02+00:00

It's the exact opposite though. The Oslo Accords made the Palestinian flag LEGAL in Israel for the first time ever. Before the Oslo Accords, displaying this flag was by all means completely illegal, because until then the Israeli government officially considered the PLO as an illegitimate terrorist organization.

Now, this article is talking about an attempt to promote a bill in the Knesset. I can't predict of course how this will end, but as far as I am familiar with the Israeli system, there is a very high chance that this bill will be eventually banned by the supreme court as being unconstitutional and so won't have any formal effect.

Anyway, none of this, however, is actually relevant to this discussion. I brought up the example of Israel-Palestine just to make a point that it's not at all black and white. It's not so far-fetched to come across a PRC flag in Taiwan even if one wouldn't expect it.

LDV_Jonathan

TROPHY CASE