The embassy — is it really that simple? The whole difficulty of the embassy lies in the agonizing hours of waiting in uncertainty about whether you can start packing your things yet or not..
night without sleep, a good half of your nerve cells gone and a broken heel for the sake of two minutes of conversation and the coveted signature of the consul. Is it worth it? From experience I can say WORTH IT!!! such a feeling of exhilaration, relief and boundless joy and pride in myself I have not felt even after any exam!
And now more details..
The morning started well, apart from the lump in my throat, my hands shaking and my head spinning from fear. Having overcome ourselves my friend and I left all our things at my Moscow friend’s apartment and set off to look for the embassy. Or rather the monument next to which we were supposed to meet. Getting out at the right metro station we, of course, went the wrong way! When we realized we were lost and didn’t even have a phone to call, we, to put it mildly, started to panic but kept walking. After several directions from passersby we finally found the embassy! But to our disappointment it somehow looked nothing like the photo we had printed. As it turned out later we had entered from the wrong side and had to walk around it (and that walk turned out to be not small at all!!) It was here that I had to say goodbye to my insole)))
Reaching the correct entrance we started to look for our group and with relief joined the queue. (by the way it’s organized by the list if anyone doesn’t know, which didn’t please me at all because I turned out to be 4th on the list.)
This is where the exhausting waiting in line outside began, everyone froze so a tip: however warm it may be in your city or whatever the weather forecasters say, dress as warmly as possible, because Moscow is a really nasty city when it comes to weather!
Then another hour of waiting inside the embassy and now I’m standing next in line to the consul. My heart stops, my hands tremble, my head is a jumble of English words. The booth frees up...
I put on a smile and head to the free consul. Seeing him made me feel better. A balding man with a beard and a friendly smile. And then it went like this:
Me: Hello (a grin from ear to ear, while my hands are shaking)
Consul: hello. how are you?
Me: I'm fine thanks and you?
Consul: Oo, I'm ok. put your finger right hand to the scanner.
Me: Which? (I said automatically in Russian and froze)
Consul: Middle (also in Russian!! And he laughs)
So, where are you studying?
Me: I'm study at Samara State Economic University
Consul: well. Do you have Job-offer?
Me: Yes, my Job-offer i is confirmed by the sponsor.
Consul: and where will you working?
Me: a waitress in a restaurant, Long Beach, California
Consul: California? (there was some surprise in his voice, one might think I’m the first to go there!)
Me: yes
Consul: (here he takes my form) ooo, you sign in the place of me.
Me: Yes, I'm sorry (it really was awkward.)
Consul: I'm sorry I have to refuse you a visa (my heart sank, while my smile remained but now on the background of growing hysteria inside me.)
Me: Why?? (swallowing the lump in my throat I ask calmly and still with a smile)
Consul: There is no place where I could sign
Me: I’m, to put it mildly, in shock standing there without moving
Consul: (laughs) It’s a joke
Me: .... (I smile and even laugh. I can’t believe my ears! Can you do that?)
Consul: (signing on the form) Do you know the famous person from Long Beach?
Me: No, only the governor of California Schwarzenegger
Consul: No, I'm talking about Long Beach
Me: No I do not know
Consul: Snoop Dogg (with such a pleased look)
Me: seriously? I do not know.
Consul: maybe you meet him
Me: maybe
Consul: when you're in the U.S. say hello to him from me. Have a nice trip!
Me: OK! thank you!!
And now I’m already outside, they ask me how it went, what they asked, whether many were refused.. I answer, say that I’m delighted with the consul (I really liked him, it was pleasant to talk) what questions he asked and I still can’t believe it. I’m going to the USA!!!
P.S. Tips:
1.Dress warmly
2. start preparing no later than a week before
3. be ready for anything, calmness and a smile are very important
4. learn the route in advance
Good luck to everyone who still has an embassy trip ahead!