Halloween - London K1 - and why they gave me not one visa but two!!!
Nov 1st 2002, 9:59 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Halloween - London K1 - and why they gave me not one visa but two!!!
K! visa interview and medical on halloween.
i got home after 1am last night and was too brain-blasted to write sooner.
thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts. this is going to be
loooong but i'l put headers on certain sections so anyone who is only
interested in certain bits can scroll down.
TAKING TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO LONDON
was a nightmare. the worst bits of it all were the crowds - and the hotel which
was like a cross between fawlty towers and psycho. the crowds in the tubes were
much worse than i remembered them - walls of people who wouldn't let small
children through to get off the train. truly frightening. i am SO glad its all
over.
HALLOWEEN
6.30am
we get out of the hotel as soon as it's light. no one there seems to speak
english and the place is a death trap. i haven't slept.
7am
stumble across Starbucks at Marble Arch. hot chocolate for the kiddies and soft
easy chairs. the first time we have felt comfortable and safe since leaving
home 6.30am the day before. vanilla coffee reminds me of gloopy times with my
fiancé in Dallas.
7.30am
off to the doc's which is just round a couple of corners from Starbucks - a 5
min walk. 10 with two tired kiddies and a lot of bags.
7.40am
the queue is starting to form outside the doc's office. nervous people
exchanging info about their dreams, worries...
MEDICAL
8am
doors open. herded into waiting room. each given a plastic folder with
instructions. it also contains a listing of vaccination requirements based on
age. i am cheesed off as the embassy's long list of vacc's isn't for everyone
and my kids have had almost everything on the embassy list - including
pneumoccocal and influenza which i only now find out is only necessary for
emigrating pensioners. ho hum. into the plastic file go: passport, vaccination
proof, medical questionnaire which you hand in at the reception desk - try not
to knock over their display stand as i did in my clumsy nervous state.
waiting waiting.......
eventually my name is called. i go back out to reception, hand over the £215
fee for one adult and two children. get my passports back. sent downstairs to
another waiting room.
waiting... waiting...
nurse calls me into cubical. she ties a thingy round my arm and asks me to
clench fist. i explain nervously no one has been able to get blood out of me
without at least 3 tries and a lot of pain. she asks me about my plans. i turn
round to look at her. I SWEAR THIS IS THE TRUTH i was just in time to see her
withdrawing the needle. hand on heart i never even felt it go in! ******
miracle. i thank her and inform her she is an expert and go back out to waiting
room.
waiting...waiting...
mad x-ray guy walks in and says
will the lady with the two munchkins come with me. he is funny and sweet and a
great relief after all the soemn faces. puts me in cubicle while girls look
through slats and wave. 'take off everything from the top of your head to your
waist. please stop when you reach the level of skin as i have to clean this
place later!' we're all laughing now. i get a paper robe to wear. i tell him he
is famous on the newsgroup as he takes me into adjoining room and he makes me
stick my chin on a ledge and do the funky chicken stand. then back to the
cubicle. 5 mins later he calls me and the girls back through 'who wants to take
a look at mummy's insides?' we look. he points out a big lumpy area and informs
me i have a heart. we all grin. back to cubicle.
doc comes out of her room. a really nice gentle lady. calls us in together.
kids - listens to chest and heart, say ahhhh!, looks in ears, tells them to lie
down, feels their tummy, makes them laugh. tells them they're great. tells me
they have only one vaccination still to get - hep b which they can't attend
school without. gives me a copy of her note to this that she'll send to the
embassy. on K1 i don't need to have sorted this out before we get to US BUT I
WILL.
my turn. listens to heart, chest. tells me i don't need to finish my course of
hep b because it's not required for my age group (i'm 36 tomorrow). tells me to
lie down. checks tummy, nothing lower. thank you god. does quick breast
examination - checking for lumps - takes about 20 seconds. blood pressure.
tells me it's right on the borderline. i gulp. i have NEVER had a problem with
blood pressure. i have been boringly normal all my life. she smiles and says
it's probably just the stress of the day. we're all fine.
back out to cubicle to dress and then off to embassy.
EMBASSY
get here about 10am. there are railings up all down the upper grosvenor street
side of the building so we walk 2/3s way round it to find a gap and a man with
a gun. he says we can't come in. i say but we're here for a visa. wonder has
there been a bomb scare. has everyone gone home? he says people are only
allowed in by invitation and i'm not on his list. i say but i have a letter and
show him. his dyslexia clears up and he finds us on our list. long walk back
round to doors into visa unit.
desk. guards. baggage check and walkthrough bleeper just like an airport. have
we any phones, cameras etc. yes. hand him all our baggage except my papers and
gives me a ticket to collect him. remember i have a lighter in my pocket and
ask does he want that too. oh yes, he says, and takes it.
fiancé visa is a nonimmigrant visa but you need to head to the immigration
section. waiting room, chairs, few toys in corner. people waiting. they tell me
to stand at a booth and wait for a man to take my letter. he eventually turns
up and takes it. we sit.
waiting... waiting...
about 11.15 the last guy from the doc's comes in. he has all the medical
reports with him to hand to the officer in a big envelope. can't believe how
quick they ran the tests (later told london embassy is the only one in world
that can do this so quick on same day).
waiting... waiting...
girls thirsty and bored. it's HOT in there. they go down to guards who let them
rummage in their bags for crisps, drinks and toys. nice guards.
waiting... waiting...
name called. he take my docs and photocopies - asks for them in order. not
interested in seing any proof of relationship. while i'm with him a guy comes
up and whispers 'they're negative - all clear'. i assume he's talking about the
medical and am relieved. he has a tick-off form as he assembles the docs.
writes in red all over it 'ask about name change'. i reverted to a former name
without deed poll. i have brought all the proof ic an and handed it in. they'll
ask you about that, he says. slightly alarmed at all the red scrawl. back to
seat.
waiting... waiting...
called up to the guy at the big booth. when he calls my name i'm on the floor
near the booth playing crazy bones with my youngest daughter. so i pop up out
of nowhere and he raises an eyebrow. 'er, i was just playing,' i say, lamely.
raise your right hand. do you swear everything you're telling us is the truth.
has me in an eye-lock. it is the truth but i feel confused and guilty. daren't
drop my eyes. feel like i've been injected with sodium pentothal. do i say, 'i
do'? no idea. 'yes', i say. he holds my eyes almost the entire time we are
talking. he asks how i met my fiancé. grills me about a former marriage, which
i'm not expecting. then the name change. goes through the docs again with
regard to that. asks why i didn't use deed poll. said lamely, because i didn't
have to. don't know what else to say. my mind is blank. asks how often my
fiancé and i see each other. i say last november, then christmas, then easter,
then summer - i have proofs.... he's not interested in seeing the proofs. makes
me write my fiancé's name on a form, read and sign. here comes the whammy,
when's your fiancé's birthday? i know it, we just had it. my mind is blank and
all i can think is i just missed my best friend's birthday because i was in
such a state over this process. wonder madly if he wants to know about julie's
birthday. suddenly brain-fever clears and i tell him, august 2. he hands me my
original docs and says, 'ok your visas will be issued shortly'. wander dazed
back to seat. did he just say that? does he say that to all the girls whether
they're getting their visas or not?
waiting... waiting...
name called again. handed three big brown envelopes which i'm told not to open
and hand in at the port of entry and our passports with visas in. state of
shock. other people waiting want to see the visas. we look. the girls are
clearly recognisable. my pic on it is so blurred you can't tell me from
president bush. i'm worried. anyone could use this visa. maybe the port of
entry won't accept it. i just want to leave now we have them but unsure... go
back to desk and wait till the guy's finished with someone else. can't believe
i'm questionning them. 'sorry, i'm just a bit worried about this picture...'
they take my passport away again and get in a huddle. oh god i had a visa for
two minutes and i gave it BACK!!!
sent away. waiting... waiting.... everyone seems to be getting their visas and
leaving. finally called back. 'you did the right thing' i'm told. they have
stamped 'cancelled without prejudice' right through my visa. oh god. turn page.
second visa with clear photo. we're free to go. it's 2pm
we have our visas. this is all really happening. but we're in shock, my girls
and i. manage to get to pudding lane to see where the great fire of london
started, find something to eat, take a photo on london bridge and then give up.
(horror journeys in tubes and crowds everywhere. can't believe how busy it is
in the middle of the week in the middle of the day). get in a taxi and arrive
at euston hours early for our train. flake out with ice creams and comics. home
again home - 1am.
the end... or should i say, the beginning!
regards
-=-
scarlett
i got home after 1am last night and was too brain-blasted to write sooner.
thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts. this is going to be
loooong but i'l put headers on certain sections so anyone who is only
interested in certain bits can scroll down.
TAKING TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO LONDON
was a nightmare. the worst bits of it all were the crowds - and the hotel which
was like a cross between fawlty towers and psycho. the crowds in the tubes were
much worse than i remembered them - walls of people who wouldn't let small
children through to get off the train. truly frightening. i am SO glad its all
over.
HALLOWEEN
6.30am
we get out of the hotel as soon as it's light. no one there seems to speak
english and the place is a death trap. i haven't slept.
7am
stumble across Starbucks at Marble Arch. hot chocolate for the kiddies and soft
easy chairs. the first time we have felt comfortable and safe since leaving
home 6.30am the day before. vanilla coffee reminds me of gloopy times with my
fiancé in Dallas.
7.30am
off to the doc's which is just round a couple of corners from Starbucks - a 5
min walk. 10 with two tired kiddies and a lot of bags.
7.40am
the queue is starting to form outside the doc's office. nervous people
exchanging info about their dreams, worries...
MEDICAL
8am
doors open. herded into waiting room. each given a plastic folder with
instructions. it also contains a listing of vaccination requirements based on
age. i am cheesed off as the embassy's long list of vacc's isn't for everyone
and my kids have had almost everything on the embassy list - including
pneumoccocal and influenza which i only now find out is only necessary for
emigrating pensioners. ho hum. into the plastic file go: passport, vaccination
proof, medical questionnaire which you hand in at the reception desk - try not
to knock over their display stand as i did in my clumsy nervous state.
waiting waiting.......
eventually my name is called. i go back out to reception, hand over the £215
fee for one adult and two children. get my passports back. sent downstairs to
another waiting room.
waiting... waiting...
nurse calls me into cubical. she ties a thingy round my arm and asks me to
clench fist. i explain nervously no one has been able to get blood out of me
without at least 3 tries and a lot of pain. she asks me about my plans. i turn
round to look at her. I SWEAR THIS IS THE TRUTH i was just in time to see her
withdrawing the needle. hand on heart i never even felt it go in! ******
miracle. i thank her and inform her she is an expert and go back out to waiting
room.
waiting...waiting...
mad x-ray guy walks in and says
will the lady with the two munchkins come with me. he is funny and sweet and a
great relief after all the soemn faces. puts me in cubicle while girls look
through slats and wave. 'take off everything from the top of your head to your
waist. please stop when you reach the level of skin as i have to clean this
place later!' we're all laughing now. i get a paper robe to wear. i tell him he
is famous on the newsgroup as he takes me into adjoining room and he makes me
stick my chin on a ledge and do the funky chicken stand. then back to the
cubicle. 5 mins later he calls me and the girls back through 'who wants to take
a look at mummy's insides?' we look. he points out a big lumpy area and informs
me i have a heart. we all grin. back to cubicle.
doc comes out of her room. a really nice gentle lady. calls us in together.
kids - listens to chest and heart, say ahhhh!, looks in ears, tells them to lie
down, feels their tummy, makes them laugh. tells them they're great. tells me
they have only one vaccination still to get - hep b which they can't attend
school without. gives me a copy of her note to this that she'll send to the
embassy. on K1 i don't need to have sorted this out before we get to US BUT I
WILL.
my turn. listens to heart, chest. tells me i don't need to finish my course of
hep b because it's not required for my age group (i'm 36 tomorrow). tells me to
lie down. checks tummy, nothing lower. thank you god. does quick breast
examination - checking for lumps - takes about 20 seconds. blood pressure.
tells me it's right on the borderline. i gulp. i have NEVER had a problem with
blood pressure. i have been boringly normal all my life. she smiles and says
it's probably just the stress of the day. we're all fine.
back out to cubicle to dress and then off to embassy.
EMBASSY
get here about 10am. there are railings up all down the upper grosvenor street
side of the building so we walk 2/3s way round it to find a gap and a man with
a gun. he says we can't come in. i say but we're here for a visa. wonder has
there been a bomb scare. has everyone gone home? he says people are only
allowed in by invitation and i'm not on his list. i say but i have a letter and
show him. his dyslexia clears up and he finds us on our list. long walk back
round to doors into visa unit.
desk. guards. baggage check and walkthrough bleeper just like an airport. have
we any phones, cameras etc. yes. hand him all our baggage except my papers and
gives me a ticket to collect him. remember i have a lighter in my pocket and
ask does he want that too. oh yes, he says, and takes it.
fiancé visa is a nonimmigrant visa but you need to head to the immigration
section. waiting room, chairs, few toys in corner. people waiting. they tell me
to stand at a booth and wait for a man to take my letter. he eventually turns
up and takes it. we sit.
waiting... waiting...
about 11.15 the last guy from the doc's comes in. he has all the medical
reports with him to hand to the officer in a big envelope. can't believe how
quick they ran the tests (later told london embassy is the only one in world
that can do this so quick on same day).
waiting... waiting...
girls thirsty and bored. it's HOT in there. they go down to guards who let them
rummage in their bags for crisps, drinks and toys. nice guards.
waiting... waiting...
name called. he take my docs and photocopies - asks for them in order. not
interested in seing any proof of relationship. while i'm with him a guy comes
up and whispers 'they're negative - all clear'. i assume he's talking about the
medical and am relieved. he has a tick-off form as he assembles the docs.
writes in red all over it 'ask about name change'. i reverted to a former name
without deed poll. i have brought all the proof ic an and handed it in. they'll
ask you about that, he says. slightly alarmed at all the red scrawl. back to
seat.
waiting... waiting...
called up to the guy at the big booth. when he calls my name i'm on the floor
near the booth playing crazy bones with my youngest daughter. so i pop up out
of nowhere and he raises an eyebrow. 'er, i was just playing,' i say, lamely.
raise your right hand. do you swear everything you're telling us is the truth.
has me in an eye-lock. it is the truth but i feel confused and guilty. daren't
drop my eyes. feel like i've been injected with sodium pentothal. do i say, 'i
do'? no idea. 'yes', i say. he holds my eyes almost the entire time we are
talking. he asks how i met my fiancé. grills me about a former marriage, which
i'm not expecting. then the name change. goes through the docs again with
regard to that. asks why i didn't use deed poll. said lamely, because i didn't
have to. don't know what else to say. my mind is blank. asks how often my
fiancé and i see each other. i say last november, then christmas, then easter,
then summer - i have proofs.... he's not interested in seeing the proofs. makes
me write my fiancé's name on a form, read and sign. here comes the whammy,
when's your fiancé's birthday? i know it, we just had it. my mind is blank and
all i can think is i just missed my best friend's birthday because i was in
such a state over this process. wonder madly if he wants to know about julie's
birthday. suddenly brain-fever clears and i tell him, august 2. he hands me my
original docs and says, 'ok your visas will be issued shortly'. wander dazed
back to seat. did he just say that? does he say that to all the girls whether
they're getting their visas or not?
waiting... waiting...
name called again. handed three big brown envelopes which i'm told not to open
and hand in at the port of entry and our passports with visas in. state of
shock. other people waiting want to see the visas. we look. the girls are
clearly recognisable. my pic on it is so blurred you can't tell me from
president bush. i'm worried. anyone could use this visa. maybe the port of
entry won't accept it. i just want to leave now we have them but unsure... go
back to desk and wait till the guy's finished with someone else. can't believe
i'm questionning them. 'sorry, i'm just a bit worried about this picture...'
they take my passport away again and get in a huddle. oh god i had a visa for
two minutes and i gave it BACK!!!
sent away. waiting... waiting.... everyone seems to be getting their visas and
leaving. finally called back. 'you did the right thing' i'm told. they have
stamped 'cancelled without prejudice' right through my visa. oh god. turn page.
second visa with clear photo. we're free to go. it's 2pm
we have our visas. this is all really happening. but we're in shock, my girls
and i. manage to get to pudding lane to see where the great fire of london
started, find something to eat, take a photo on london bridge and then give up.
(horror journeys in tubes and crowds everywhere. can't believe how busy it is
in the middle of the week in the middle of the day). get in a taxi and arrive
at euston hours early for our train. flake out with ice creams and comics. home
again home - 1am.
the end... or should i say, the beginning!
regards
-=-
scarlett
Nov 1st 2002, 10:15 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Collinsville, IL (from Scotland, UK)
Posts: 332
Yay! And double Yay! I'm so bloody happy for you :-) Big congrats.
Peace
D.
xx
Peace
D.
xx
Nov 1st 2002, 10:16 am
#3
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Hep B
Hey Scarlett, Way to go! Quite a challenge with the munchkins, I'm sure 
Just wanted to throw in for you...finish the Hep B series...it's handy for future travel and protection...they call it a lifetime vac, even if it only lasts an expected 25 years.
Who knows when you might want to go to Belize or Mexico?
Best of luck for your happy future!
Just wanted to throw in for you...finish the Hep B series...it's handy for future travel and protection...they call it a lifetime vac, even if it only lasts an expected 25 years.
Who knows when you might want to go to Belize or Mexico?
Best of luck for your happy future!
Nov 1st 2002, 10:19 am
#4
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,391
Congratulations Scarlet
So glad you got the treat and not the trick at the US Consulate.
Happy Early Birthday
Rita
So glad you got the treat and not the trick at the US Consulate.
Happy Early Birthday
Rita
Nov 1st 2002, 10:21 am
#5
Pagan Sex God
Joined: May 2002
Location: Living in Oblivion
Posts: 3,668
Thats the best one I have ever read, I felt like I was there with you (which in spirit we all where)
Good Luck and well done
Patrick
Good Luck and well done
Patrick
Nov 1st 2002, 10:38 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 90
What can I possibly say?? Well, 2 things actually:
1) CONGRATULATIONS!!! Everyone's been rooting for ya and we all knew it would go off without a hitch. When are you off to the States btw??
2) You should be a novelist...excellent recollection of the day. We all appreciate the time you took to share the experience and it comes in handy for us that are still waiting...trust me
So, I'll
one (or two or three) for you as well now. I think more visas need to be issued regularly cause I sure love a beer here and there!!!
1) CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Everyone's been rooting for ya and we all knew it would go off without a hitch. When are you off to the States btw??2) You should be a novelist...excellent recollection of the day. We all appreciate the time you took to share the experience and it comes in handy for us that are still waiting...trust me
So, I'll
one (or two or three) for you as well now. I think more visas need to be issued regularly cause I sure love a beer here and there!!!
Nov 1st 2002, 10:53 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 237
Go Girrrrrl!!
How wonderful! Congratulations...
Did they talk to the children at all? My Fiance has two sons 10 and 13. We are not sure if their mom will let them come with him yet, but have listed them on all of the paperwork. Will he need to have them at the interview, even if they will be joining us later on?
Oh, I am so very happy for you here in New York. Welcom to America!
PS. My sweeties ex finally signed. The affidavits and consent should be lodged witht he courts today. (But knowing the solictiors speed, probably not until next week) Then hopefully only 6 weeks and I can file my I29F.......Best to you, the girls, and your Texan!
Did they talk to the children at all? My Fiance has two sons 10 and 13. We are not sure if their mom will let them come with him yet, but have listed them on all of the paperwork. Will he need to have them at the interview, even if they will be joining us later on?
Oh, I am so very happy for you here in New York. Welcom to America!
PS. My sweeties ex finally signed. The affidavits and consent should be lodged witht he courts today. (But knowing the solictiors speed, probably not until next week) Then hopefully only 6 weeks and I can file my I29F.......Best to you, the girls, and your Texan!
Nov 1st 2002, 11:07 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 128
Congratulations Scarlett, for you and the kids !
Your story made me feel very close to your experience and I almost cried thinking that I will go for it in less than a week !
Thanks for posting your story and the best of luck on your beggining...
regards,
groovy
Your story made me feel very close to your experience and I almost cried thinking that I will go for it in less than a week !
Thanks for posting your story and the best of luck on your beggining...
regards,
groovy
Nov 1st 2002, 11:38 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Halloween - London K1 - and why they gave me not one visa but two!!!
Woo Hooo!!!!!
Congratulations Scarlett!!! Carla (7am) and I just had a good laugh at your
descriptions.. Thank you so much and once again.. Congrats from both of us.
"Scarlett" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> K! visa interview and medical on halloween.
> i got home after 1am last night and was too brain-blasted to write sooner.
> thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts. this is going to
be
> loooong but i'l put headers on certain sections so anyone who is only
> interested in certain bits can scroll down.
Congratulations Scarlett!!! Carla (7am) and I just had a good laugh at your
descriptions.. Thank you so much and once again.. Congrats from both of us.
"Scarlett" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> K! visa interview and medical on halloween.
> i got home after 1am last night and was too brain-blasted to write sooner.
> thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts. this is going to
be
> loooong but i'l put headers on certain sections so anyone who is only
> interested in certain bits can scroll down.
Nov 1st 2002, 12:03 pm
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 1,216
Congratulations Scarlett! The worst part is over! Now comes the moving and after all this, it should be a snap. Thanks for the walking tour. It always helps to know what to expect and your descriptions were wonderful.
Cheers!
Leslie
Cheers!
Leslie
Nov 1st 2002, 12:13 pm
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 48
CONGRATULATIONS
YAY, sooo happy for you.
Best of luck for the future. Loved your story... thank you so much for sharing.
Congrats !!!!!
Best of luck for the future. Loved your story... thank you so much for sharing.
Congrats !!!!!
Nov 1st 2002, 1:27 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Halloween - London K1 - and why they gave me not one visa but two!!!
Scarlett,
Congratulations!! You have a gift for telling a tale!
Ron
"Scarlett" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> K! visa interview and medical on halloween.
> i got home after 1am last night and was too brain-blasted to write sooner.
> thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts. this is going to
be
> loooong but i'l put headers on certain sections so anyone who is only
> interested in certain bits can scroll down.
> TAKING TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO LONDON
> was a nightmare. the worst bits of it all were the crowds - and the hotel
which
> was like a cross between fawlty towers and psycho. the crowds in the tubes
were
> much worse than i remembered them - walls of people who wouldn't let small
> children through to get off the train. truly frightening. i am SO glad its
all
> over.
> HALLOWEEN
> 6.30am
> we get out of the hotel as soon as it's light. no one there seems to speak
> english and the place is a death trap. i haven't slept.
> 7am
> stumble across Starbucks at Marble Arch. hot chocolate for the kiddies and
soft
> easy chairs. the first time we have felt comfortable and safe since
leaving
> home 6.30am the day before. vanilla coffee reminds me of gloopy times with
my
> fiancé in Dallas.
> 7.30am
> off to the doc's which is just round a couple of corners from Starbucks -
a 5
> min walk. 10 with two tired kiddies and a lot of bags.
> 7.40am
> the queue is starting to form outside the doc's office. nervous people
> exchanging info about their dreams, worries...
> MEDICAL
> 8am
> doors open. herded into waiting room. each given a plastic folder with
> instructions. it also contains a listing of vaccination requirements based
on
> age. i am cheesed off as the embassy's long list of vacc's isn't for
everyone
> and my kids have had almost everything on the embassy list - including
> pneumoccocal and influenza which i only now find out is only necessary for
> emigrating pensioners. ho hum. into the plastic file go: passport,
vaccination
> proof, medical questionnaire which you hand in at the reception desk - try
not
> to knock over their display stand as i did in my clumsy nervous state.
> waiting waiting.......
> eventually my name is called. i go back out to reception, hand over the
£215
> fee for one adult and two children. get my passports back. sent downstairs
to
> another waiting room.
> waiting... waiting...
> nurse calls me into cubical. she ties a thingy round my arm and asks me to
> clench fist. i explain nervously no one has been able to get blood out of
me
> without at least 3 tries and a lot of pain. she asks me about my plans. i
turn
> round to look at her. I SWEAR THIS IS THE TRUTH i was just in time to see
her
> withdrawing the needle. hand on heart i never even felt it go in! ******
> miracle. i thank her and inform her she is an expert and go back out to
waiting
> room.
> waiting...waiting...
> mad x-ray guy walks in and says
> will the lady with the two munchkins come with me. he is funny and sweet
and a
> great relief after all the soemn faces. puts me in cubicle while girls
look
> through slats and wave. 'take off everything from the top of your head to
your
> waist. please stop when you reach the level of skin as i have to clean
this
> place later!' we're all laughing now. i get a paper robe to wear. i tell
him he
> is famous on the newsgroup as he takes me into adjoining room and he makes
me
> stick my chin on a ledge and do the funky chicken stand. then back to the
> cubicle. 5 mins later he calls me and the girls back through 'who wants to
take
> a look at mummy's insides?' we look. he points out a big lumpy area and
informs
> me i have a heart. we all grin. back to cubicle.
> doc comes out of her room. a really nice gentle lady. calls us in
together.
> kids - listens to chest and heart, say ahhhh!, looks in ears, tells them
to lie
> down, feels their tummy, makes them laugh. tells them they're great. tells
me
> they have only one vaccination still to get - hep b which they can't
attend
> school without. gives me a copy of her note to this that she'll send to
the
> embassy. on K1 i don't need to have sorted this out before we get to US
BUT I
> WILL.
> my turn. listens to heart, chest. tells me i don't need to finish my
course of
> hep b because it's not required for my age group (i'm 36 tomorrow). tells
me to
> lie down. checks tummy, nothing lower. thank you god. does quick breast
> examination - checking for lumps - takes about 20 seconds. blood pressure.
> tells me it's right on the borderline. i gulp. i have NEVER had a problem
with
> blood pressure. i have been boringly normal all my life. she smiles and
says
> it's probably just the stress of the day. we're all fine.
> back out to cubicle to dress and then off to embassy.
> EMBASSY
> get here about 10am. there are railings up all down the upper grosvenor
street
> side of the building so we walk 2/3s way round it to find a gap and a man
with
> a gun. he says we can't come in. i say but we're here for a visa. wonder
has
> there been a bomb scare. has everyone gone home? he says people are only
> allowed in by invitation and i'm not on his list. i say but i have a
letter and
> show him. his dyslexia clears up and he finds us on our list. long walk
back
> round to doors into visa unit.
> desk. guards. baggage check and walkthrough bleeper just like an airport.
have
> we any phones, cameras etc. yes. hand him all our baggage except my papers
and
> gives me a ticket to collect him. remember i have a lighter in my pocket
and
> ask does he want that too. oh yes, he says, and takes it.
> fiancé visa is a nonimmigrant visa but you need to head to the immigration
> section. waiting room, chairs, few toys in corner. people waiting. they
tell me
> to stand at a booth and wait for a man to take my letter. he eventually
turns
> up and takes it. we sit.
> waiting... waiting...
> about 11.15 the last guy from the doc's comes in. he has all the medical
> reports with him to hand to the officer in a big envelope. can't believe
how
> quick they ran the tests (later told london embassy is the only one in
world
> that can do this so quick on same day).
> waiting... waiting...
> girls thirsty and bored. it's HOT in there. they go down to guards who let
them
> rummage in their bags for crisps, drinks and toys. nice guards.
> waiting... waiting...
> name called. he take my docs and photocopies - asks for them in order. not
> interested in seing any proof of relationship. while i'm with him a guy
comes
> up and whispers 'they're negative - all clear'. i assume he's talking
about the
> medical and am relieved. he has a tick-off form as he assembles the docs.
> writes in red all over it 'ask about name change'. i reverted to a former
name
> without deed poll. i have brought all the proof ic an and handed it in.
they'll
> ask you about that, he says. slightly alarmed at all the red scrawl. back
to
> seat.
> waiting... waiting...
> called up to the guy at the big booth. when he calls my name i'm on the
floor
> near the booth playing crazy bones with my youngest daughter. so i pop up
out
> of nowhere and he raises an eyebrow. 'er, i was just playing,' i say,
lamely.
> raise your right hand. do you swear everything you're telling us is the
truth.
> has me in an eye-lock. it is the truth but i feel confused and guilty.
daren't
> drop my eyes. feel like i've been injected with sodium pentothal. do i
say, 'i
> do'? no idea. 'yes', i say. he holds my eyes almost the entire time we are
> talking. he asks how i met my fiancé. grills me about a former marriage,
which
> i'm not expecting. then the name change. goes through the docs again with
> regard to that. asks why i didn't use deed poll. said lamely, because i
didn't
> have to. don't know what else to say. my mind is blank. asks how often my
> fiancé and i see each other. i say last november, then christmas, then
easter,
> then summer - i have proofs.... he's not interested in seeing the proofs.
makes
> me write my fiancé's name on a form, read and sign. here comes the whammy,
> when's your fiancé's birthday? i know it, we just had it. my mind is blank
and
> all i can think is i just missed my best friend's birthday because i was
in
> such a state over this process. wonder madly if he wants to know about
julie's
> birthday. suddenly brain-fever clears and i tell him, august 2. he hands
me my
> original docs and says, 'ok your visas will be issued shortly'. wander
dazed
> back to seat. did he just say that? does he say that to all the girls
whether
> they're getting their visas or not?
> waiting... waiting...
> name called again. handed three big brown envelopes which i'm told not to
open
> and hand in at the port of entry and our passports with visas in. state of
> shock. other people waiting want to see the visas. we look. the girls are
> clearly recognisable. my pic on it is so blurred you can't tell me from
> president bush. i'm worried. anyone could use this visa. maybe the port of
> entry won't accept it. i just want to leave now we have them but unsure...
go
> back to desk and wait till the guy's finished with someone else. can't
believe
> i'm questionning them. 'sorry, i'm just a bit worried about this
picture...'
> they take my passport away again and get in a huddle. oh god i had a visa
for
> two minutes and i gave it BACK!!!
> sent away. waiting... waiting.... everyone seems to be getting their visas
and
> leaving. finally called back. 'you did the right thing' i'm told. they
have
> stamped 'cancelled without prejudice' right through my visa. oh god. turn
page.
> second visa with clear photo. we're free to go. it's 2pm
> we have our visas. this is all really happening. but we're in shock, my
girls
> and i. manage to get to pudding lane to see where the great fire of london
> started, find something to eat, take a photo on london bridge and then
give up.
> (horror journeys in tubes and crowds everywhere. can't believe how busy it
is
> in the middle of the week in the middle of the day). get in a taxi and
arrive
> at euston hours early for our train. flake out with ice creams and comics.
home
> again home - 1am.
> the end... or should i say, the beginning!
> regards
> -=-
> scarlett
Congratulations!! You have a gift for telling a tale!
Ron
"Scarlett" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> K! visa interview and medical on halloween.
> i got home after 1am last night and was too brain-blasted to write sooner.
> thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts. this is going to
be
> loooong but i'l put headers on certain sections so anyone who is only
> interested in certain bits can scroll down.
> TAKING TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO LONDON
> was a nightmare. the worst bits of it all were the crowds - and the hotel
which
> was like a cross between fawlty towers and psycho. the crowds in the tubes
were
> much worse than i remembered them - walls of people who wouldn't let small
> children through to get off the train. truly frightening. i am SO glad its
all
> over.
> HALLOWEEN
> 6.30am
> we get out of the hotel as soon as it's light. no one there seems to speak
> english and the place is a death trap. i haven't slept.
> 7am
> stumble across Starbucks at Marble Arch. hot chocolate for the kiddies and
soft
> easy chairs. the first time we have felt comfortable and safe since
leaving
> home 6.30am the day before. vanilla coffee reminds me of gloopy times with
my
> fiancé in Dallas.
> 7.30am
> off to the doc's which is just round a couple of corners from Starbucks -
a 5
> min walk. 10 with two tired kiddies and a lot of bags.
> 7.40am
> the queue is starting to form outside the doc's office. nervous people
> exchanging info about their dreams, worries...
> MEDICAL
> 8am
> doors open. herded into waiting room. each given a plastic folder with
> instructions. it also contains a listing of vaccination requirements based
on
> age. i am cheesed off as the embassy's long list of vacc's isn't for
everyone
> and my kids have had almost everything on the embassy list - including
> pneumoccocal and influenza which i only now find out is only necessary for
> emigrating pensioners. ho hum. into the plastic file go: passport,
vaccination
> proof, medical questionnaire which you hand in at the reception desk - try
not
> to knock over their display stand as i did in my clumsy nervous state.
> waiting waiting.......
> eventually my name is called. i go back out to reception, hand over the
£215
> fee for one adult and two children. get my passports back. sent downstairs
to
> another waiting room.
> waiting... waiting...
> nurse calls me into cubical. she ties a thingy round my arm and asks me to
> clench fist. i explain nervously no one has been able to get blood out of
me
> without at least 3 tries and a lot of pain. she asks me about my plans. i
turn
> round to look at her. I SWEAR THIS IS THE TRUTH i was just in time to see
her
> withdrawing the needle. hand on heart i never even felt it go in! ******
> miracle. i thank her and inform her she is an expert and go back out to
waiting
> room.
> waiting...waiting...
> mad x-ray guy walks in and says
> will the lady with the two munchkins come with me. he is funny and sweet
and a
> great relief after all the soemn faces. puts me in cubicle while girls
look
> through slats and wave. 'take off everything from the top of your head to
your
> waist. please stop when you reach the level of skin as i have to clean
this
> place later!' we're all laughing now. i get a paper robe to wear. i tell
him he
> is famous on the newsgroup as he takes me into adjoining room and he makes
me
> stick my chin on a ledge and do the funky chicken stand. then back to the
> cubicle. 5 mins later he calls me and the girls back through 'who wants to
take
> a look at mummy's insides?' we look. he points out a big lumpy area and
informs
> me i have a heart. we all grin. back to cubicle.
> doc comes out of her room. a really nice gentle lady. calls us in
together.
> kids - listens to chest and heart, say ahhhh!, looks in ears, tells them
to lie
> down, feels their tummy, makes them laugh. tells them they're great. tells
me
> they have only one vaccination still to get - hep b which they can't
attend
> school without. gives me a copy of her note to this that she'll send to
the
> embassy. on K1 i don't need to have sorted this out before we get to US
BUT I
> WILL.
> my turn. listens to heart, chest. tells me i don't need to finish my
course of
> hep b because it's not required for my age group (i'm 36 tomorrow). tells
me to
> lie down. checks tummy, nothing lower. thank you god. does quick breast
> examination - checking for lumps - takes about 20 seconds. blood pressure.
> tells me it's right on the borderline. i gulp. i have NEVER had a problem
with
> blood pressure. i have been boringly normal all my life. she smiles and
says
> it's probably just the stress of the day. we're all fine.
> back out to cubicle to dress and then off to embassy.
> EMBASSY
> get here about 10am. there are railings up all down the upper grosvenor
street
> side of the building so we walk 2/3s way round it to find a gap and a man
with
> a gun. he says we can't come in. i say but we're here for a visa. wonder
has
> there been a bomb scare. has everyone gone home? he says people are only
> allowed in by invitation and i'm not on his list. i say but i have a
letter and
> show him. his dyslexia clears up and he finds us on our list. long walk
back
> round to doors into visa unit.
> desk. guards. baggage check and walkthrough bleeper just like an airport.
have
> we any phones, cameras etc. yes. hand him all our baggage except my papers
and
> gives me a ticket to collect him. remember i have a lighter in my pocket
and
> ask does he want that too. oh yes, he says, and takes it.
> fiancé visa is a nonimmigrant visa but you need to head to the immigration
> section. waiting room, chairs, few toys in corner. people waiting. they
tell me
> to stand at a booth and wait for a man to take my letter. he eventually
turns
> up and takes it. we sit.
> waiting... waiting...
> about 11.15 the last guy from the doc's comes in. he has all the medical
> reports with him to hand to the officer in a big envelope. can't believe
how
> quick they ran the tests (later told london embassy is the only one in
world
> that can do this so quick on same day).
> waiting... waiting...
> girls thirsty and bored. it's HOT in there. they go down to guards who let
them
> rummage in their bags for crisps, drinks and toys. nice guards.
> waiting... waiting...
> name called. he take my docs and photocopies - asks for them in order. not
> interested in seing any proof of relationship. while i'm with him a guy
comes
> up and whispers 'they're negative - all clear'. i assume he's talking
about the
> medical and am relieved. he has a tick-off form as he assembles the docs.
> writes in red all over it 'ask about name change'. i reverted to a former
name
> without deed poll. i have brought all the proof ic an and handed it in.
they'll
> ask you about that, he says. slightly alarmed at all the red scrawl. back
to
> seat.
> waiting... waiting...
> called up to the guy at the big booth. when he calls my name i'm on the
floor
> near the booth playing crazy bones with my youngest daughter. so i pop up
out
> of nowhere and he raises an eyebrow. 'er, i was just playing,' i say,
lamely.
> raise your right hand. do you swear everything you're telling us is the
truth.
> has me in an eye-lock. it is the truth but i feel confused and guilty.
daren't
> drop my eyes. feel like i've been injected with sodium pentothal. do i
say, 'i
> do'? no idea. 'yes', i say. he holds my eyes almost the entire time we are
> talking. he asks how i met my fiancé. grills me about a former marriage,
which
> i'm not expecting. then the name change. goes through the docs again with
> regard to that. asks why i didn't use deed poll. said lamely, because i
didn't
> have to. don't know what else to say. my mind is blank. asks how often my
> fiancé and i see each other. i say last november, then christmas, then
easter,
> then summer - i have proofs.... he's not interested in seeing the proofs.
makes
> me write my fiancé's name on a form, read and sign. here comes the whammy,
> when's your fiancé's birthday? i know it, we just had it. my mind is blank
and
> all i can think is i just missed my best friend's birthday because i was
in
> such a state over this process. wonder madly if he wants to know about
julie's
> birthday. suddenly brain-fever clears and i tell him, august 2. he hands
me my
> original docs and says, 'ok your visas will be issued shortly'. wander
dazed
> back to seat. did he just say that? does he say that to all the girls
whether
> they're getting their visas or not?
> waiting... waiting...
> name called again. handed three big brown envelopes which i'm told not to
open
> and hand in at the port of entry and our passports with visas in. state of
> shock. other people waiting want to see the visas. we look. the girls are
> clearly recognisable. my pic on it is so blurred you can't tell me from
> president bush. i'm worried. anyone could use this visa. maybe the port of
> entry won't accept it. i just want to leave now we have them but unsure...
go
> back to desk and wait till the guy's finished with someone else. can't
believe
> i'm questionning them. 'sorry, i'm just a bit worried about this
picture...'
> they take my passport away again and get in a huddle. oh god i had a visa
for
> two minutes and i gave it BACK!!!
> sent away. waiting... waiting.... everyone seems to be getting their visas
and
> leaving. finally called back. 'you did the right thing' i'm told. they
have
> stamped 'cancelled without prejudice' right through my visa. oh god. turn
page.
> second visa with clear photo. we're free to go. it's 2pm
> we have our visas. this is all really happening. but we're in shock, my
girls
> and i. manage to get to pudding lane to see where the great fire of london
> started, find something to eat, take a photo on london bridge and then
give up.
> (horror journeys in tubes and crowds everywhere. can't believe how busy it
is
> in the middle of the week in the middle of the day). get in a taxi and
arrive
> at euston hours early for our train. flake out with ice creams and comics.
home
> again home - 1am.
> the end... or should i say, the beginning!
> regards
> -=-
> scarlett
Nov 1st 2002, 1:29 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Halloween - London K1 - and why they gave me not one visa but two!!!
Congrats Scarlett and girls !!! sooooo happy you got your visas YaY !!
Jan
))
"Scarlett" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> K! visa interview and medical on halloween.
> i got home after 1am last night and was too brain-blasted to write sooner.
> thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts. this is going to
be
> loooong but i'l put headers on certain sections so anyone who is only
> interested in certain bits can scroll down.
> TAKING TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO LONDON
> was a nightmare. the worst bits of it all were the crowds - and the hotel
which
> was like a cross between fawlty towers and psycho. the crowds in the tubes
were
> much worse than i remembered them - walls of people who wouldn't let small
> children through to get off the train. truly frightening. i am SO glad its
all
> over.
> HALLOWEEN
> 6.30am
> we get out of the hotel as soon as it's light. no one there seems to speak
> english and the place is a death trap. i haven't slept.
> 7am
> stumble across Starbucks at Marble Arch. hot chocolate for the kiddies and
soft
> easy chairs. the first time we have felt comfortable and safe since
leaving
> home 6.30am the day before. vanilla coffee reminds me of gloopy times with
my
> fiancé in Dallas.
> 7.30am
> off to the doc's which is just round a couple of corners from Starbucks -
a 5
> min walk. 10 with two tired kiddies and a lot of bags.
> 7.40am
> the queue is starting to form outside the doc's office. nervous people
> exchanging info about their dreams, worries...
> MEDICAL
> 8am
> doors open. herded into waiting room. each given a plastic folder with
> instructions. it also contains a listing of vaccination requirements based
on
> age. i am cheesed off as the embassy's long list of vacc's isn't for
everyone
> and my kids have had almost everything on the embassy list - including
> pneumoccocal and influenza which i only now find out is only necessary for
> emigrating pensioners. ho hum. into the plastic file go: passport,
vaccination
> proof, medical questionnaire which you hand in at the reception desk - try
not
> to knock over their display stand as i did in my clumsy nervous state.
> waiting waiting.......
> eventually my name is called. i go back out to reception, hand over the
£215
> fee for one adult and two children. get my passports back. sent downstairs
to
> another waiting room.
> waiting... waiting...
> nurse calls me into cubical. she ties a thingy round my arm and asks me to
> clench fist. i explain nervously no one has been able to get blood out of
me
> without at least 3 tries and a lot of pain. she asks me about my plans. i
turn
> round to look at her. I SWEAR THIS IS THE TRUTH i was just in time to see
her
> withdrawing the needle. hand on heart i never even felt it go in! ******
> miracle. i thank her and inform her she is an expert and go back out to
waiting
> room.
> waiting...waiting...
> mad x-ray guy walks in and says
> will the lady with the two munchkins come with me. he is funny and sweet
and a
> great relief after all the soemn faces. puts me in cubicle while girls
look
> through slats and wave. 'take off everything from the top of your head to
your
> waist. please stop when you reach the level of skin as i have to clean
this
> place later!' we're all laughing now. i get a paper robe to wear. i tell
him he
> is famous on the newsgroup as he takes me into adjoining room and he makes
me
> stick my chin on a ledge and do the funky chicken stand. then back to the
> cubicle. 5 mins later he calls me and the girls back through 'who wants to
take
> a look at mummy's insides?' we look. he points out a big lumpy area and
informs
> me i have a heart. we all grin. back to cubicle.
> doc comes out of her room. a really nice gentle lady. calls us in
together.
> kids - listens to chest and heart, say ahhhh!, looks in ears, tells them
to lie
> down, feels their tummy, makes them laugh. tells them they're great. tells
me
> they have only one vaccination still to get - hep b which they can't
attend
> school without. gives me a copy of her note to this that she'll send to
the
> embassy. on K1 i don't need to have sorted this out before we get to US
BUT I
> WILL.
> my turn. listens to heart, chest. tells me i don't need to finish my
course of
> hep b because it's not required for my age group (i'm 36 tomorrow). tells
me to
> lie down. checks tummy, nothing lower. thank you god. does quick breast
> examination - checking for lumps - takes about 20 seconds. blood pressure.
> tells me it's right on the borderline. i gulp. i have NEVER had a problem
with
> blood pressure. i have been boringly normal all my life. she smiles and
says
> it's probably just the stress of the day. we're all fine.
> back out to cubicle to dress and then off to embassy.
> EMBASSY
> get here about 10am. there are railings up all down the upper grosvenor
street
> side of the building so we walk 2/3s way round it to find a gap and a man
with
> a gun. he says we can't come in. i say but we're here for a visa. wonder
has
> there been a bomb scare. has everyone gone home? he says people are only
> allowed in by invitation and i'm not on his list. i say but i have a
letter and
> show him. his dyslexia clears up and he finds us on our list. long walk
back
> round to doors into visa unit.
> desk. guards. baggage check and walkthrough bleeper just like an airport.
have
> we any phones, cameras etc. yes. hand him all our baggage except my papers
and
> gives me a ticket to collect him. remember i have a lighter in my pocket
and
> ask does he want that too. oh yes, he says, and takes it.
> fiancé visa is a nonimmigrant visa but you need to head to the immigration
> section. waiting room, chairs, few toys in corner. people waiting. they
tell me
> to stand at a booth and wait for a man to take my letter. he eventually
turns
> up and takes it. we sit.
> waiting... waiting...
> about 11.15 the last guy from the doc's comes in. he has all the medical
> reports with him to hand to the officer in a big envelope. can't believe
how
> quick they ran the tests (later told london embassy is the only one in
world
> that can do this so quick on same day).
> waiting... waiting...
> girls thirsty and bored. it's HOT in there. they go down to guards who let
them
> rummage in their bags for crisps, drinks and toys. nice guards.
> waiting... waiting...
> name called. he take my docs and photocopies - asks for them in order. not
> interested in seing any proof of relationship. while i'm with him a guy
comes
> up and whispers 'they're negative - all clear'. i assume he's talking
about the
> medical and am relieved. he has a tick-off form as he assembles the docs.
> writes in red all over it 'ask about name change'. i reverted to a former
name
> without deed poll. i have brought all the proof ic an and handed it in.
they'll
> ask you about that, he says. slightly alarmed at all the red scrawl. back
to
> seat.
> waiting... waiting...
> called up to the guy at the big booth. when he calls my name i'm on the
floor
> near the booth playing crazy bones with my youngest daughter. so i pop up
out
> of nowhere and he raises an eyebrow. 'er, i was just playing,' i say,
lamely.
> raise your right hand. do you swear everything you're telling us is the
truth.
> has me in an eye-lock. it is the truth but i feel confused and guilty.
daren't
> drop my eyes. feel like i've been injected with sodium pentothal. do i
say, 'i
> do'? no idea. 'yes', i say. he holds my eyes almost the entire time we are
> talking. he asks how i met my fiancé. grills me about a former marriage,
which
> i'm not expecting. then the name change. goes through the docs again with
> regard to that. asks why i didn't use deed poll. said lamely, because i
didn't
> have to. don't know what else to say. my mind is blank. asks how often my
> fiancé and i see each other. i say last november, then christmas, then
easter,
> then summer - i have proofs.... he's not interested in seeing the proofs.
makes
> me write my fiancé's name on a form, read and sign. here comes the whammy,
> when's your fiancé's birthday? i know it, we just had it. my mind is blank
and
> all i can think is i just missed my best friend's birthday because i was
in
> such a state over this process. wonder madly if he wants to know about
julie's
> birthday. suddenly brain-fever clears and i tell him, august 2. he hands
me my
> original docs and says, 'ok your visas will be issued shortly'. wander
dazed
> back to seat. did he just say that? does he say that to all the girls
whether
> they're getting their visas or not?
> waiting... waiting...
> name called again. handed three big brown envelopes which i'm told not to
open
> and hand in at the port of entry and our passports with visas in. state of
> shock. other people waiting want to see the visas. we look. the girls are
> clearly recognisable. my pic on it is so blurred you can't tell me from
> president bush. i'm worried. anyone could use this visa. maybe the port of
> entry won't accept it. i just want to leave now we have them but unsure...
go
> back to desk and wait till the guy's finished with someone else. can't
believe
> i'm questionning them. 'sorry, i'm just a bit worried about this
picture...'
> they take my passport away again and get in a huddle. oh god i had a visa
for
> two minutes and i gave it BACK!!!
> sent away. waiting... waiting.... everyone seems to be getting their visas
and
> leaving. finally called back. 'you did the right thing' i'm told. they
have
> stamped 'cancelled without prejudice' right through my visa. oh god. turn
page.
> second visa with clear photo. we're free to go. it's 2pm
> we have our visas. this is all really happening. but we're in shock, my
girls
> and i. manage to get to pudding lane to see where the great fire of london
> started, find something to eat, take a photo on london bridge and then
give up.
> (horror journeys in tubes and crowds everywhere. can't believe how busy it
is
> in the middle of the week in the middle of the day). get in a taxi and
arrive
> at euston hours early for our train. flake out with ice creams and comics.
home
> again home - 1am.
> the end... or should i say, the beginning!
> regards
> -=-
> scarlett
Jan
))"Scarlett" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> K! visa interview and medical on halloween.
> i got home after 1am last night and was too brain-blasted to write sooner.
> thanks so much for all the good wishes and kind thoughts. this is going to
be
> loooong but i'l put headers on certain sections so anyone who is only
> interested in certain bits can scroll down.
> TAKING TWO SMALL CHILDREN TO LONDON
> was a nightmare. the worst bits of it all were the crowds - and the hotel
which
> was like a cross between fawlty towers and psycho. the crowds in the tubes
were
> much worse than i remembered them - walls of people who wouldn't let small
> children through to get off the train. truly frightening. i am SO glad its
all
> over.
> HALLOWEEN
> 6.30am
> we get out of the hotel as soon as it's light. no one there seems to speak
> english and the place is a death trap. i haven't slept.
> 7am
> stumble across Starbucks at Marble Arch. hot chocolate for the kiddies and
soft
> easy chairs. the first time we have felt comfortable and safe since
leaving
> home 6.30am the day before. vanilla coffee reminds me of gloopy times with
my
> fiancé in Dallas.
> 7.30am
> off to the doc's which is just round a couple of corners from Starbucks -
a 5
> min walk. 10 with two tired kiddies and a lot of bags.
> 7.40am
> the queue is starting to form outside the doc's office. nervous people
> exchanging info about their dreams, worries...
> MEDICAL
> 8am
> doors open. herded into waiting room. each given a plastic folder with
> instructions. it also contains a listing of vaccination requirements based
on
> age. i am cheesed off as the embassy's long list of vacc's isn't for
everyone
> and my kids have had almost everything on the embassy list - including
> pneumoccocal and influenza which i only now find out is only necessary for
> emigrating pensioners. ho hum. into the plastic file go: passport,
vaccination
> proof, medical questionnaire which you hand in at the reception desk - try
not
> to knock over their display stand as i did in my clumsy nervous state.
> waiting waiting.......
> eventually my name is called. i go back out to reception, hand over the
£215
> fee for one adult and two children. get my passports back. sent downstairs
to
> another waiting room.
> waiting... waiting...
> nurse calls me into cubical. she ties a thingy round my arm and asks me to
> clench fist. i explain nervously no one has been able to get blood out of
me
> without at least 3 tries and a lot of pain. she asks me about my plans. i
turn
> round to look at her. I SWEAR THIS IS THE TRUTH i was just in time to see
her
> withdrawing the needle. hand on heart i never even felt it go in! ******
> miracle. i thank her and inform her she is an expert and go back out to
waiting
> room.
> waiting...waiting...
> mad x-ray guy walks in and says
> will the lady with the two munchkins come with me. he is funny and sweet
and a
> great relief after all the soemn faces. puts me in cubicle while girls
look
> through slats and wave. 'take off everything from the top of your head to
your
> waist. please stop when you reach the level of skin as i have to clean
this
> place later!' we're all laughing now. i get a paper robe to wear. i tell
him he
> is famous on the newsgroup as he takes me into adjoining room and he makes
me
> stick my chin on a ledge and do the funky chicken stand. then back to the
> cubicle. 5 mins later he calls me and the girls back through 'who wants to
take
> a look at mummy's insides?' we look. he points out a big lumpy area and
informs
> me i have a heart. we all grin. back to cubicle.
> doc comes out of her room. a really nice gentle lady. calls us in
together.
> kids - listens to chest and heart, say ahhhh!, looks in ears, tells them
to lie
> down, feels their tummy, makes them laugh. tells them they're great. tells
me
> they have only one vaccination still to get - hep b which they can't
attend
> school without. gives me a copy of her note to this that she'll send to
the
> embassy. on K1 i don't need to have sorted this out before we get to US
BUT I
> WILL.
> my turn. listens to heart, chest. tells me i don't need to finish my
course of
> hep b because it's not required for my age group (i'm 36 tomorrow). tells
me to
> lie down. checks tummy, nothing lower. thank you god. does quick breast
> examination - checking for lumps - takes about 20 seconds. blood pressure.
> tells me it's right on the borderline. i gulp. i have NEVER had a problem
with
> blood pressure. i have been boringly normal all my life. she smiles and
says
> it's probably just the stress of the day. we're all fine.
> back out to cubicle to dress and then off to embassy.
> EMBASSY
> get here about 10am. there are railings up all down the upper grosvenor
street
> side of the building so we walk 2/3s way round it to find a gap and a man
with
> a gun. he says we can't come in. i say but we're here for a visa. wonder
has
> there been a bomb scare. has everyone gone home? he says people are only
> allowed in by invitation and i'm not on his list. i say but i have a
letter and
> show him. his dyslexia clears up and he finds us on our list. long walk
back
> round to doors into visa unit.
> desk. guards. baggage check and walkthrough bleeper just like an airport.
have
> we any phones, cameras etc. yes. hand him all our baggage except my papers
and
> gives me a ticket to collect him. remember i have a lighter in my pocket
and
> ask does he want that too. oh yes, he says, and takes it.
> fiancé visa is a nonimmigrant visa but you need to head to the immigration
> section. waiting room, chairs, few toys in corner. people waiting. they
tell me
> to stand at a booth and wait for a man to take my letter. he eventually
turns
> up and takes it. we sit.
> waiting... waiting...
> about 11.15 the last guy from the doc's comes in. he has all the medical
> reports with him to hand to the officer in a big envelope. can't believe
how
> quick they ran the tests (later told london embassy is the only one in
world
> that can do this so quick on same day).
> waiting... waiting...
> girls thirsty and bored. it's HOT in there. they go down to guards who let
them
> rummage in their bags for crisps, drinks and toys. nice guards.
> waiting... waiting...
> name called. he take my docs and photocopies - asks for them in order. not
> interested in seing any proof of relationship. while i'm with him a guy
comes
> up and whispers 'they're negative - all clear'. i assume he's talking
about the
> medical and am relieved. he has a tick-off form as he assembles the docs.
> writes in red all over it 'ask about name change'. i reverted to a former
name
> without deed poll. i have brought all the proof ic an and handed it in.
they'll
> ask you about that, he says. slightly alarmed at all the red scrawl. back
to
> seat.
> waiting... waiting...
> called up to the guy at the big booth. when he calls my name i'm on the
floor
> near the booth playing crazy bones with my youngest daughter. so i pop up
out
> of nowhere and he raises an eyebrow. 'er, i was just playing,' i say,
lamely.
> raise your right hand. do you swear everything you're telling us is the
truth.
> has me in an eye-lock. it is the truth but i feel confused and guilty.
daren't
> drop my eyes. feel like i've been injected with sodium pentothal. do i
say, 'i
> do'? no idea. 'yes', i say. he holds my eyes almost the entire time we are
> talking. he asks how i met my fiancé. grills me about a former marriage,
which
> i'm not expecting. then the name change. goes through the docs again with
> regard to that. asks why i didn't use deed poll. said lamely, because i
didn't
> have to. don't know what else to say. my mind is blank. asks how often my
> fiancé and i see each other. i say last november, then christmas, then
easter,
> then summer - i have proofs.... he's not interested in seeing the proofs.
makes
> me write my fiancé's name on a form, read and sign. here comes the whammy,
> when's your fiancé's birthday? i know it, we just had it. my mind is blank
and
> all i can think is i just missed my best friend's birthday because i was
in
> such a state over this process. wonder madly if he wants to know about
julie's
> birthday. suddenly brain-fever clears and i tell him, august 2. he hands
me my
> original docs and says, 'ok your visas will be issued shortly'. wander
dazed
> back to seat. did he just say that? does he say that to all the girls
whether
> they're getting their visas or not?
> waiting... waiting...
> name called again. handed three big brown envelopes which i'm told not to
open
> and hand in at the port of entry and our passports with visas in. state of
> shock. other people waiting want to see the visas. we look. the girls are
> clearly recognisable. my pic on it is so blurred you can't tell me from
> president bush. i'm worried. anyone could use this visa. maybe the port of
> entry won't accept it. i just want to leave now we have them but unsure...
go
> back to desk and wait till the guy's finished with someone else. can't
believe
> i'm questionning them. 'sorry, i'm just a bit worried about this
picture...'
> they take my passport away again and get in a huddle. oh god i had a visa
for
> two minutes and i gave it BACK!!!
> sent away. waiting... waiting.... everyone seems to be getting their visas
and
> leaving. finally called back. 'you did the right thing' i'm told. they
have
> stamped 'cancelled without prejudice' right through my visa. oh god. turn
page.
> second visa with clear photo. we're free to go. it's 2pm
> we have our visas. this is all really happening. but we're in shock, my
girls
> and i. manage to get to pudding lane to see where the great fire of london
> started, find something to eat, take a photo on london bridge and then
give up.
> (horror journeys in tubes and crowds everywhere. can't believe how busy it
is
> in the middle of the week in the middle of the day). get in a taxi and
arrive
> at euston hours early for our train. flake out with ice creams and comics.
home
> again home - 1am.
> the end... or should i say, the beginning!
> regards
> -=-
> scarlett
Nov 1st 2002, 2:09 pm
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: UK Citizen Now In Baltimore County USA
Posts: 906
Re: Halloween - London K1 - and why they gave me not one visa but two!!!
Congratulations, I have followed your posts with interest, your experience gives us Brits all hope about our impending futures.
But i should correct you !! the most scary bit about the day would without doubt been nothing to do with the interview, but the drop dead shock of finding out how much 2 Hot Chocolates and a Coffee costs in Starbucks London.
If you can survive that then nothing else will compare.
Good luck in your next chapter
But i should correct you !! the most scary bit about the day would without doubt been nothing to do with the interview, but the drop dead shock of finding out how much 2 Hot Chocolates and a Coffee costs in Starbucks London.
If you can survive that then nothing else will compare.
Good luck in your next chapter
Nov 1st 2002, 2:30 pm
#15
jingling
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 18,123
Congratulations Scarlett!!
I'm so happy for you. It's so encouraging to hear success stories about the big interview day...makes me look forward to when my fiance gets his visa too! (if we ever get the darn NOA#2!)
Best wishes,
Juliet
I'm so happy for you. It's so encouraging to hear success stories about the big interview day...makes me look forward to when my fiance gets his visa too! (if we ever get the darn NOA#2!)
Best wishes,
Juliet