Thursday, May 11, 2006...5:10 pm
Portkey
I waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. I waited in line the entire morning.
First they made me surrender my cellphone and go through the x-ray machine. But before that I had to fall in line.
Second I had to submit my application form for pre-screening, and get my processing number. But before that I had to fall in line.
Third I had to wait for my number to be called for the next step.
Fourth I had to have my index fingers scanned. But before that I had to fall in line.
Fifth I had to wait for my number to be called for the next step (again).
Sixth I had to be interviewed by the consul. But before that I had to wait for my number to be called (yet again).
Seventh I had to bring my yellow stub to the courier booth so they can send me my visa. But before that I had to fill up a form, get a number and wait for that new number to be called. (this is so repetitive)
Eighth I was done, but they have my phone so I had to fall in line yet again to get it back.
It felt so much like being in one of our local government offices with cleaner facilities, with the never-ending lines and the cues that showed everyone else’s number but yours. I cannot even begin to imagine how crappy it would’ve felt for me to walk out of their embassy empty-handed.
I arrived at 8:30 this morning, because my appointment was for 9:30am. I got out of the US embassy at one o’clock in the afternoon. I was tired and hungry. My interview was conducted at about eleven o’clock. The first thing the consul asked me was: “how are you today ma’am?” To which I replied: “Tired of waiting.” with a shake of my head.
I am thankful that I got a visa, because this means I can go with my husband on his trip this June. But on the other hand, I also feel that all that hard work seems a tad too much to get it.
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