This post is a little late, because it happened on March 28. I just wanted to write about it while the experience was still fresh in my mind. I doubt it is something I will forget quickly, as it signalled the end of a long and frustrating process. But, anyway, here it is...

I travelled down to London on the train after work the night before my interview and stayed with my brother James' and his girlfriend Selina. The train journey down there was hell. It was cramped and we were delayed for 2 hours, which meant that a 2 hour journey turned into 4 hours. I didn't get into Euston until about 10.30pm. I then made my way to James' place on the tube - with a heavy bag (shoes?) and all of the documentation for my interview - which was no easy task. When I got there it was quite late and they had got some snacks in, but I was a little too tired to be hungry by that time. We chatted for a while which was nice, since I have only met Selina a few times. I don't think they were too disappointed that I was too tired to chat too much, as James was ever so slightly hung over and wanted to crash himself. :-)

The next morning I made my way to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square in West London. It wasn't far - just a 15-20 minute walk. When I got there I approached one of the security guards to show him my appointment letter (as we had been instructed to do) and he said in a snotty voice "where's your fiance?". I replied that he couldn't come to the interview with me. His retort was equally nasty , "Well, I think he's supposed to be here!" My heart stopped. I had read all the documentation and it specifically said that Steve didn't have to be with me, didn't it? I was sure it had. I mean, I doubted that I was the only one whose partner couldn't take the time off work and fly over, for the sake of one day. Luckily, I went and asked another security guard who was very pleasant and said quote " don't listen to him, he talks out of his arse!". I was so relieved. But, as Selina pointed out later, how many people have believed him and left, in the past. This security guard must know how long this process takes (a year for my relatively uncomplicated case) and what is at stake if the person doesn't show up for their appointment. Their case could be delayed for months, or even declined. These appointments are none negotiable. You can't just reschedule. Basically, unless you are dying (and can prove you are) you'd better get yourself to that appointment on the date they tell you to. However, at that time I was too relieved to feel angry.

Anyway I entered the main buiding and was given a number and told to wait. I waited for an hour and a half in a hot room with about a couple of hundred other people of all ethnicities. When my number was called, I had to go upto a window where an (eastern European?) guy asked me to produce my medical results, my passport, my birth certificate, my support documents (to prove that I wouldn't be applying for welfare when I arrived) and 3 colour photos for my visa. When this all checked out, I was told to go and sit down and wait for my number to be called again. I waited for about another hour and I then I was called upto another widow. This time by an American lady. Basically I just stood there for a few minutes nervously while she looked through my paperwork, panicking and thinking that something was missing... Finally she looked up at me and said, "hold on I need to go and check something". My heart stopped for the second time that day. When she got back she said; "There's a problem. This paperwork is all more than 3 months old. It expired at the end of last month." I was thinking, but the only reason it is more than three months old, is because you guys didn't schedule my interview fast enough! Just when I was thinking it was all over, she said, "Has he sent you anything recently. Any correspondence? I replied that he only sent the Affidavit of Support last month. She looked at the documents and said, "Oh this is fine then, these are notarised too." She leafed through them for a few seconds (I think for effect) and then looked up at me and said, "Ok, we'll go ahead and approve your visa" Bastards! I think they freak people out for their own amusement! I was so relieved that I cried.

I was still crying when I called my mum, who thought that since I couldn't actually speak, that the visa had been declined! I paid for them to courier the visa and my stamped passport back to me, then left to meet James and Selina for lunch in a pub near where they both work. It was a fleeting visit and I left that evening on ANOTHER delayed train. Get your asses in gear Virgin Rail!! The visa arrived the next day, in yet another envelope that I can't open, and have to hand to a US Immigration official in Los Angeles. As I have mentioned before, I will be visiting my parents in Singapore for 2 weeks, on my way to LAX, and I leave in about 3 weeks time.