Embassy visit was a total success. Blocked account problems have now been resolved. Try explaining to an AI ("apprehension impossible" ) that you queried some transactions, agreed to have your card blocked, never had a reply from the bank, couldn't transfer funds, couldn't use the card, send a new card, oh, cancel that; just unblock the old one, just check those queried transactions..
" I'm sorry. I don't understand. Please explain what you want in a few words"
" Just get me a human being online, please".
"I'm sorry, I don't understand. The thought police will be with you in a moment"
" Oh for God's sake, f*** off!"
"I'm sorry , I don't understand....

Eventually got through to a real person, on the Embassy phone (all international calls, unless you use WhatsApp, are blocked here in Venezuela) , who asked me some security questions. Fine for the first few minutes, then I realised that the bloke was West Indian (remember that from years of playing cricket) because he stumped me on " can you just tell me your deeeat of burt"
"Come again?"
"Your deeeat of burt, please"
" WTF - sorry, could you just repeat that?"

"D-e-a-t-e of b-i-r-t-h".
Got it. Then I got passed on to a bloke with a Brummy accent. Like
this.
Well all's well that ends well. Problem solved.
The handle for the front gate (which is 2mts high x 4 mts long) is a lost cause. 4 big hardware stores and everyone said " Nooo, mate, go and find a blacksmith"
View attachment 131747
Yeah. Fat chance!