Waiting room. We enter and don't sit on the chairs, but go straight to the right and left to the cashier. Past the windows with the consuls. There you hand over your passport and the confirmation page with your photo (you get it at the agency). You are asked to go to one of the windows with the consuls (immediately... and don't make big eyes). You approach and they tell you in Russian to put your left hand (4 fingers) on a small monitor. Then the right hand. Then both thumbs at the same time. Then they tell you to go back to the waiting room and wait for your name to be called. We wait....

Heard something that remotely resembles your full name - approach the necessary window. Walk confidently, smooth gait, from the hip. A smile on your face, in your hands a file with your grade book, student ID, etc.

(the following is my conversation with the consul. I'm writing in Russian, because I'm too lazy to write in English)

C - Good afternoon.

Me - Hello, sir.

• Maria, right?
• Yes, that's correct.
• Where do you study? What is your major?
• INGEKON, tourism.
• How old are you?
• Oh, great age. You can smoke, drink alcohol and a lot of things.
• Yes sir, it's a pity that I don't drink or smoke.
• Why?
• It's not tasty.
  (laughter from the consul and a sweet smile from me)
• How do you like spring?
• Excellent, I love the warmth and can't wait to put on a t-shirt and sneakers.
• Ok. I see you worked at Cirque du Soleil. And how was it?
• So-so. I thought it would be more interesting and fun.
• So you didn't like the show?
• No, what are you saying. The show was wonderful. But I saw it more than 20 times so... you understand.
• Oh, and I was at one of the shows. I was very satisfied. How much did they pay you?
• Little.
• What does little mean?
• Sir, it means little. But I'm not complaining, because all the terms of the contract were met.
• Oh, well okay. Around your neck you have a pendant with the name Camilla. Why Camilla? Because your name is Maria?
• Because I like this name. It is beautiful and suits me no less than Maria.
• Oh, I like this name too. One of my (don't know who... either daughter, or niece... or friend... I didn't understand) is named Camilla. We call her Cami.
• Mmm...
• Why do you want to go to the States?
• Because I want to touch, feel, try and smell everything I've seen in movies. I grew up on American films, and now I want to become the main character of another one, but with the same scenery.
• Original answer, Camilla. Well, okay. Have you familiarized yourself with your rights and responsibilities?
• Of course.
• And you understood everything?
• Yeah.
• Then good luck.
  He handed me some A4 paper and an orange card, which says that my passport will be returned soon with a visa.

The moral of this fable is this. Don't be afraid!! The worst thing that can happen is they just won't give you a visa. So what? I already planned my summer in advance for two options))) If there is a visa - America. No visa - sea, beach and vacation with my loved one. And I am absolutely sure that everything will turn out the way I want it to. And not the consul. Whatever he says there)) So I wish everyone good luck, a pleasant conversation and in general... kick their asses, as they say in American action movies)))

Everything written concerns only the St. Petersburg consulate... I don't even want to comment on the mess in Moscow.