Since I myself collected all the stories bit by bit before leaving for Moscow, I decided to describe my trip myself.

Minsk, 15:00

As it was written in the last mailing, I packed a few groceries and some things and went to the arranged place. On the spot there was immediately a queue where they were handing out some little numbers. I was very surprised when my girlfriend was given number 92 and I got 315, although we submitted our documents together. So, having taken seats for myself and my friends in bus No.2, we started to wait for it to depart. The bus looked quite decent, and it was comfortable to sit in it, which pleased me, because with my not-small height I expected some minor unpleasantness. When the seats in the bus were completely taken and, after listening to a small organizational briefing, we departed.

During the transfer many guys reread the mailings, someone read books, someone just chatted with a neighbor; in general everyone entertained themselves as best they could. About two hours in they turned on the TVs, on which they started showing the Russian TV series "Kotovsky" starring Galkin. It was very difficult to watch the series because it did not at all fit the atmosphere and the upcoming events, so literally after the first episode everyone gave up trying to understand what was happening there.

The bus stopped quite often, on average every 2 hours for 5-10 minutes, so there were no problems; the only thing was that we stopped at the equipped toilets about 3 times, 2 of them were paid.

It was very hot in the bus, so we had to periodically open the roof hatches (we only figured this out on the return trip).

On the way there I couldn't fall asleep, maybe I was a little nervous about the visa, or more likely I had just slept well, who knows. Most people also just dozed.

Moscow, 3:00

We arrived in the capital deep at night and immediately drove up to the embassy, near which we stopped. Most of the guys went to walk around night Moscow, so the bus became freer. I managed to stretch my legs and put them on the neighboring seats, and in that position sleep for about 3 hours.

Moscow, 7:00

We, already more or less awake and having had breakfast, patiently awaited the fateful hour. Suddenly a representative of the center came to us and announced that the guys who belong to the first group could move toward the embassy. There was a huge crowd near the embassy (and how will America fit them all?), of guys. After sticking stickers on our clothes and tapping our teeth a little — from the cold or excitement, it couldn't be determined — we began to line up, which took about half an hour. Then everyone began to be admitted in small groups of 15-30 people, giving each their passport at the entrance.

Since I was practically last, I had to freeze for about an hour, and I even managed to listen to the story of a guy who went first and had already left the embassy and received the visa. The story encouraged me because all the questions were quite standard.

After I slipped past the guard who handed me my passport and another who marked me in the list, they quickly scanned me with a handheld metal detector; I very quickly (as the guard said: "Guys, it's like gym class here, take off your jacket, run through, take it back") passed through the frame and found myself in a spacious hall. There was a very large bunch of guys who were sitting in chairs, standing near the walls, standing in two unclear queues, and moving chaotically.

What to do next was unclear, but having quickly pulled myself together, I realized that now I needed to get the dsku and the confirmation. And again I had to wait a long time until my surname was announced and they handed them to me. After that you had to sit on chairs so that the center representatives could staple your passport and its photocopy together. Then I queued for fingerprint scanning. Many guys had cold hands and had to press their fingers several times until the equipment responded; however the ladies there turned out to be quite friendly, and they spoke Russian.

After all these procedures were completed, all that remained was to take a place in the queue for the interview itself and wait for the consuls. I would like to complain a little here, because many guys took their place in line even before fingerprint scanning and so on, and it was simply unpleasant to see that a person who stood behind you at the fingerprint station is standing far ahead of you. Although I of course understand that this is entirely your right. I also took a place in the queue like others, but then I thought that it would be unfair and went to the very end (that's how honest I am), which cost me about 1-1.5 hours of free time.

The queue moved rather slowly, I managed to get acquainted with the neighboring guys, and successfully support them and myself, and try not to worry. On the approach to the staircase, where supposedly everything should already happen, we started to meet those who had already received a visa. Seeing their absolutely happy faces my smile itself stretched to my ears, and even now remembering them behind the laptop screen I involuntarily smile. So when we had already climbed the stairs, there was a small surprise, because behind the stairs there was another hall in which about 50 people were patiently waiting in line at the same time. Continuing to congratulate everyone and rejoice with everyone, and also involuntarily smile, we sat on the chairs and began to watch the Tom and Jerry cartoons, and at the same time keep an eye on the consuls, listen to the guys, who and how they answer. It seemed to me that they all looked very nice, which later was confirmed. When our row was called to take the last queue for the interview, I honestly experienced a little euphoria, constantly smiling and encouraging those around me who looked a little gloomy. The queue moved one by one; accordingly the first in line took the place of the one who was stepping away from the window at that time and so on. After about 5-10 minutes I was already walking to window number 11, where I was happy to find a pleasant-looking woman (K)

Me: Hello. How is your day?

K: Fine, thanks, and your?

Me: Mu is great.

K: Are you Valiantsin?

Me: Yep, it’s me.

/* From here all the content will be in Russian, I'm too lazy to translate */

K: Are you participating in the program for the first time?

Me: Yes, the first time

K: What do your parents do for work?

Me: ...

K: Where do you study?

Me: ...

K: What year?

Me: First

K: Oh, first?

Me: Yes-yes, exactly, first.

K: Excellent, do you have an invitation to work?

Me: No, but I know that this summer I will go to Wildwood, NJ. I like this city because it is on the coast, and also not far from NY, which I just dream of visiting different places like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

K: I see.

/* Here's where a small mishap happened. */

K: What is your home tel?

Me (a little surprised): It’s 246-35-12

K: No-no, I mean home town!!!!

Me: Oh, hometown, I’m sorry, it’s Minsk.

K: Excellent, did you read the printout from the website?

Me (already relaxed): Yes, I read it

K: Any questions?

Me: No

K: Put your right finger

Me: Done

K: Your visa is approved, have a nice summer.

Me: Thank you very much.

At that moment I was just ready to kiss the consul through the glass (probably that's why they sit behind it) and everyone who came to me. Successfully forgetting my jacket, I almost left the booth, but remembered in time and quickly grabbed it. Wishing everyone good luck on the way, I ran out into the street, where my brother and his girlfriend were already waiting for me; they had also received visas. The joy was simply incredible; probably if it were accumulated at that moment it would be enough to light all the streets of Moscow for a week (I should suggest the idea to the government).

Moscow, 12:00

We had about 5-6 hours of free time. Most of the guys scattered to look around and take pictures near the sights, but we decided to do a bit of shopping. As a result we made 10 metro rides between the two of us. For those who haven't been to Moscow I advise to take pictures near/in:

1. Red Square, also the Mausoleum, also the cathedral, also GUM
2. The monument to Peter (I don't remember exactly, it's very tall)
3. Moscow City
4. Near the cow on Arbat

Everyone returned to the bus on time; I think there is no point in describing the return trip, it is worth only noting that everyone was quite tired, and didn't particularly celebrate, mostly everyone slept)

Minsk, 5:00

Finally home ))

I wish all the guys to experience all those positive emotions that you feel when they confirm your visa. It's unforgettable!

P.S. Thanks to Olga Tuluzova for the photos.