This post is with reference to excruciating process of getting a visa to travel to the US of A
We have planned a trip for this summer and decided to start the application procedure early enough.
What is surprising is the amount of paperwork that is needed along with the application.Some of the details are just ridiculously funny and to top it all the application states " Please note that a visa in no way ensures that you will be granted entry into the country. The officer at the Immigration Counter will decide at your time of entry whether you should be allowed to travel or not"
So technically you can land up and be told to go back!
After getting copies of evrything from tax returns to appointment letters to property ownerships deeds, we finally landed up at the American Embassy in Chanakyapuri.
Your forms are first screened while you are standing in the line outside the embassy. Then one has to go to another counter for "questioning". In our case the man behind the screen decided that I no longer look like the photograph I have submitted. After convincing him we proceed to enter the embassy(FINALLY!).
Then, you have to submit your fingerprints. If for some strange reason one of your index numbers is injured you cant give the interview.
The irony here is that the lady at this counter actually liked my application photo.
After all of this you have to stand in this huge serpentine line to get interviewed. The couples with kid are given priority but not the really old couples. It was really sad to see all these aged people stand for hours to get a visa.
While standing in the line you can look around to find posters of "America's Most Wanted Terrorists" and "Top Ten Fugitives" and also a plasma T.V that shows you the major attractions of the country( "its going to be worth it")
Now, the people at the embassy can be divided easily into four categories:
a) Innocent tourists like us who just want to go and see the country
b) Newly wed brides desperate to join their husbands
c) IIT/IIM pass outs going as tourists in search of lucrative deals
d) Old uncles and aunties who are going either for weddings or to meet their children
Give Indians a que and the comaradrie will develop on its own. As the hours pass by the conversation flows.
Our appointment was at 11:15 a.m but our chance came at quarter to three(phew!)
It lasted for exaclty fve minutes at the end of which we were told to enjoy the trip.But there were also people who were intimidated and were crying at the end of their interviews.
Our passports have now arrived (with the visa stamp) but I hope i never have to do this again, I'd rather go to another country!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
A WEEKEND NOT TO REMEMBER
Normally the thought of the weekend bring huge amount of solace to my mind but this last weekend has been nothing short of a disaster .
FRIDAY:
Out of the three days this was the best! Even though it was a holiday (courtesy mass bunk from college) I had to get up at 7(courtesy my mum's school bus).
It wasnt much of a day. I practically did NOTHING the entire day.
SATURDAY:
Started of as a nice ,bright ,sunny morning. I had a great lunch (oredered in from Subway).
I am a HUGE movie buff( movie ever weekend is included in my staple diet). Thus, my parents and I decide to go and see " The Departed"(Dont ask me why I havent seen it as yet!) at the Pacific Mall, Kaushambi.
As a result I had to give up my afternoon nap(also on my staple diet) to go and see the movie. We reach there well in time for the show.
I still havent seen the movie because apparently the newspapers had the schedule wrong!
The movie hall is having an Oscar festival and they show one nominated movie a day and Departed was on Friday(Damn!)
Cresstfallen my parents decide to explore the mall. Apart from being movie freaks we are also shopping addicts.
And the journey begins from one store to another till we decide that we have exercised enough to reward ourselves with some food. This brings us to this massive food court in the mall.
After dinner the shopping expedition begins and finally ends when all the stores start to display their"closed" signs.
With great satisfaction we returned home to find out that one of our shopping packets/treasures was missing!
I still havent figured out where that packet went.
SUNDAY
Mum & Dad decide to finally see Blood Diamond and after confirming the show land up at Wave for the 11 a.m show.
God wasnt on our side as the projector refuses to work leaving my parents crestfallen yet again.
Thus, they are offered seats for "Flags of oour Father" and a refund. Even though my dad is a huge Clint Eastwood fan, you really cant enjoy a movie if you miss the beginning.
The prospect of a wedding reception at IIC brightened our evening and all of us got ready to enjoy the free food!
We're half way to the venue when my Dad realises that he had left the wedding gift on the stairs outside our flat ( at which point i am thinkingg of my Blog post titile)
And, the groom was thus given only flowers.
But as a consolation the food turned out to be quite good.
FRIDAY:
Out of the three days this was the best! Even though it was a holiday (courtesy mass bunk from college) I had to get up at 7(courtesy my mum's school bus).
It wasnt much of a day. I practically did NOTHING the entire day.
SATURDAY:
Started of as a nice ,bright ,sunny morning. I had a great lunch (oredered in from Subway).
I am a HUGE movie buff( movie ever weekend is included in my staple diet). Thus, my parents and I decide to go and see " The Departed"(Dont ask me why I havent seen it as yet!) at the Pacific Mall, Kaushambi.
As a result I had to give up my afternoon nap(also on my staple diet) to go and see the movie. We reach there well in time for the show.
I still havent seen the movie because apparently the newspapers had the schedule wrong!
The movie hall is having an Oscar festival and they show one nominated movie a day and Departed was on Friday(Damn!)
Cresstfallen my parents decide to explore the mall. Apart from being movie freaks we are also shopping addicts.
And the journey begins from one store to another till we decide that we have exercised enough to reward ourselves with some food. This brings us to this massive food court in the mall.
After dinner the shopping expedition begins and finally ends when all the stores start to display their"closed" signs.
With great satisfaction we returned home to find out that one of our shopping packets/treasures was missing!
I still havent figured out where that packet went.
SUNDAY
Mum & Dad decide to finally see Blood Diamond and after confirming the show land up at Wave for the 11 a.m show.
God wasnt on our side as the projector refuses to work leaving my parents crestfallen yet again.
Thus, they are offered seats for "Flags of oour Father" and a refund. Even though my dad is a huge Clint Eastwood fan, you really cant enjoy a movie if you miss the beginning.
The prospect of a wedding reception at IIC brightened our evening and all of us got ready to enjoy the free food!
We're half way to the venue when my Dad realises that he had left the wedding gift on the stairs outside our flat ( at which point i am thinkingg of my Blog post titile)
And, the groom was thus given only flowers.
But as a consolation the food turned out to be quite good.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
HURT..I'M Ok
Ha ha! fooled you this post is NOT about what I am feeling right now.
This one is for all Christina Aguilera fans. The post's title is made up from the names of two of her songs.
Now a lot of artisits write about their traumatic childhood experiences, what i havent seen is a change in opinion.
But if you notice the lyrics of the two songs that follow, there has been a drastic change of opinion!
She goes from blaming her father for all the pain and then ends up saying sorry for treating him that way.
HURT ( this is from the new album "Back to Basics")
I would hold you in my arms
I would take the pain away
Thank you for all you've done
Ohh I'm sorry for blaming you
For everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself by hurting you
If I had just one more day
I would tell you how much that I've missed you
Since you've been awayOoh, it's dangerousIt's so out of line
To try and turn back time
Now the next song is I'm Ok ( this is from the previous album "Stripped")
Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake I look back to yesterday
And I'm OK
I wonder what brought about the drastic change .
This one is for all Christina Aguilera fans. The post's title is made up from the names of two of her songs.
Now a lot of artisits write about their traumatic childhood experiences, what i havent seen is a change in opinion.
But if you notice the lyrics of the two songs that follow, there has been a drastic change of opinion!
She goes from blaming her father for all the pain and then ends up saying sorry for treating him that way.
HURT ( this is from the new album "Back to Basics")
I would hold you in my arms
I would take the pain away
Thank you for all you've done
Ohh I'm sorry for blaming you
For everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself by hurting you
If I had just one more day
I would tell you how much that I've missed you
Since you've been awayOoh, it's dangerousIt's so out of line
To try and turn back time
Now the next song is I'm Ok ( this is from the previous album "Stripped")
Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake I look back to yesterday
And I'm OK
I wonder what brought about the drastic change .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)