Out on a losing streak

The present state of affairs continued yesterday when I realised that all my clothes were in the washing machine. Had to spend half a day wrapped in a towel. Then, I cooked some soy chops which made a big mess when I threw them onto hot oil. Eventually, I walked 3 km in pouring rain to an outdoor supplies warehouse. Closed until today. Most of the embassies I emailed about visas had defunct internet addresses. None of the others replied. Finally got through to the Azeri embassy in Warsaw this morning. The man there seemed very pleasant. However, it turns out that I need an invitation letter despite the Lousy Planet's advice to the contrary.