An Eventful ( Uneventful ) Day

Got stuck for 3 hours in Uncle Sam's Emb .

Our appointment was at 920, we arrive at 845, there was already 2 long queues outside the gate.

Instructions:
When should I come to the Embassy

. The time on the appointment letter is the time to arrive at the Embassy gate. It is not the time for your interview with consular officer.
.You are only allowed to come to the gate 15 minutes before appointment time. If you come too early, you  may be asked to leave the gate.

So we don't want to come too early , we might be asked to leave the gate. So  I thought 845 is the most appropriate time to arrive for a 920 appointment . Not realizing that everybody's appointment is at 920, so it is on first come first serve basis . I got no 103 and it was 9 to 12 wait. My head began throbbing, I felt lethargic and my eyes watery due to withdrawal syndrome ( didn't have time to  fix Nescafe this morning ).

Suddenly at 1100 the fire alarm triggered off, all of us had to vacate the building - it was such an excitement for me! I had the chance to stretch my legs and breath some fresh air outside the waiting room . After about half an hour later all of us were  called in and just before 1200 it was our turn for the interview. It went in a jiffy and we were given autorisation to entre'e US... 

Unlike MF who got a lot of wrong info in the net like she has to produce house grant to be able to get the visa. It made her so stressed up and sleepless the night before she went for the interview . But the interview went well for her and she got her passport with the the US Visa stamped on it in 2 days.

I think the consular officers are trained to read faces and differentiate people who are just visiting and who are going to get lost in the vast country of Uncle Sam's. Sometimes they may be quite prejudice in the judgement of bearded guys and  the name  Muhammad . Many young  guys who has been assigned by their company  to work short period in the US has been denied entry or given visa just for 6 month . Some of them may appear rowdy, may have Muhammad in front of their names , may come from religious school - but they are not Muslim terrorists.

Hish had a hard time when he was assigned - the journey was long , it was scorching hot summer with a long day and it was fasting month, he said...if he were to be assigned again, he  will not except it.  He had a bad time and it was such a hassle to enter US!