Kaliningrad - Saint Petersburg train.

Everything started off well - silence and cleanliness in the carriage, empty compartment seats available since the side ones aren't very comfortable, and a good mood from managing to get out of the city. To the rhythm of the wheels, we prepared for the meeting with the consul. The best word is panic. No one was 100% sure of the outcome, so everyone was nervous. Interestingly, there were quite a few people in our carriage heading to St. Petersburg for the same purpose - to get a visa. A common goal unites - other visa applicants approached us and introduced themselves. Fun, interesting, and interesting once again. By the next morning, the panic was turning into something more intense. Although feeling emotions isn't the worst thing that can happen, a hangover is definitely worse :)

We decided to go straight to the consulate from the station. Who knew that the sight of the Stars and Stripes would be even more nerve-wracking. And there was still an hour and a half left until the interview. But they passed, not exactly unnoticed, but quite calmly. There were other anxious people around, and for some reason, that was reassuring. But the hour of truth arrived. Documents in hand, anxiety in my head, and my thoughts were already approaching JFK (I still wanted to believe in the best). The routine procedures at the embassy turned out not to be so scary. It's nice when polite people are working, even during the security screening. Once inside and registered at the window, I had to wait again. The wait wasn't long. Left 4, Right 4, Left thumb, Right thumb. And wait again. Hearing your own surname in English, I must note, sounds strange. A few steps to the coveted window. There was a normal person there. No, really. Having discussed the interview hundreds of times with friends, it seemed like there would be someone stern whose life goal was to keep you specifically out of the USA. A greeting, the standard question "How are you?" and a mutual question to the consul, and it began. The most interesting thing is that the anxiety disappeared somewhere. Where are you going, where will you work, what year are you in, show your grade book. Upon hearing about the pizzeria, the consul asked if I knew how to cook it. Honestly - I don't, but I described the pizza dough ingredients and what goes on top, gesturing wildly, which made the consul laugh. The phrase about how I had never cooked, but just bought ready-made ones and used a microwave, was the final one. Who would have thought :)

It was very pleasant to hear a wish for a good vacation. Euphoria, happiness.

A couple of tips that might come in handy:

Panic and anxiety are quite normal phenomena. It's natural, after all, it's an important event. There's no need to drink liters of valerian.

Consuls are people too. They are interested in you. If you are studying an interesting major, working in an unusual place, or have traveled to very exotic countries, be prepared to talk about it.

It's not as difficult as it seems, and the result is damn pleasant.

This is success music and what's it to you?

A huge thank you to Katya from CMO-Kaliningrad for the support on the ground.