Consulate

today i woke up at 6 20am (haven't woke up at that hour in ages) and prepared. it is my big interview at the us consulate. i am applying for a tourist visa.

on monday nite, i realised i forgot to buy courier envelope. grrrr. luckily NZ post opens at 7 30am.

the process is almost stricter than boarding on an airplane. the lift to its floor doesn't open until 8am sharp. anyways some super kiasu samoans were way ahead of me on the queue even though i was the first to step into the lift.

i was the fourth person and before i was allowed into the office, I have to past through a metal detector frame. the security guard asks for my pasport and insists that i keep my kitchen sink bag with him or he will inspect everything (eg, asks me to open my small lipstick box to show him what it is) so i quickly told him he could have my bag. so i was admitted into the office. there's a row of seat and 5 counters. booth 1 says cashier, counter 1 is us citizen ...and so on. i was at counter 5. non immigrant visa. there's picture of 4 important politicians in us. i only recognised president bush :P

then there on counter 5 there's an officer that checks the paperworks. mine was short and sweet as i prepared all my paperwork ready in the file. i had bank statements and everything ready but he only wanted employer's letter and rate assessment and my passport.he asked me to take a seat and someone will interview me.

finally my name was called, and here's the dialogue:

officer: Good morning (said over the mike) the counter has plastic window it's just like in bank..

giff: Good morning

officer: could you please put your left index finger on the machine please?

(finger scanned)

officer: now your right index finger.

officer: so you are working with fonterra huh?

giff: yes. fonterra brands. it used to be new zealand dairy foods. recently it was sold to fonterra.

officer: so you majored in accounting?

giff: yes i did.

pause. pause.

officer: ....
i can't remember what he asked me.

officer: so you are going to Minnesota? in NOVEMBER????

giff: yes.

officer: it's going to be soooooooooooooooo cold there.

giff: i'll make sure i will wear something warm.

officer: you better, or make sure you buy something warm when you get there. your passport will reach you tommorrow. (something along that line)

giff: i'll. and thanks.

that was my adventure at the US consulate.45mins altogether inside the consulate office.