Visa Experience

The day arrived sooner than expected, yes 6th July 2004. I was yearning for this day to come as early as possible. Well what’s so great with this date, I had my US visa interview on this day. I had done everything possible; prepared all documents, got all my finances in proper order, gave a mock interview, read many visa experiences, though only good ones and then left everything to the almighty. jo hoga dekha jayega.
At 7:30 left my house, outside the visa application center at 8:45, entered the lounge. Well I saw that there were not many students and heaved a sigh of relief, had some stimulating coffee and sandwich. Now I was wide awake. something snapped.” hell today is my visa interview in another 30 mins, kya hoga, will I get the visa, hope it’s allover within no time”, I hear a voice "excuse me!” I snap back...it’s another student tapping on my shoulder.” Have u come for the student visa interview?"....well I was thinking....actually no, "I just came to get a feel of the things here"....."Why would any sane person come to the lounge if he doesn’t have to give his visa interview” back to reality..."yeah I have my visa interview at 9:30, when is yours?", he replies "same time"...we indulge in some small talk and then the call comes to get into the bus for the 9:30 interview...I pray silently...."bole sau nihal...sat sri akal"....and get into the bus
Outside the consulate at 9:30am...queues on both side of the entrance. I was wondering how many ppl go to USA.....we r ushered in at 9:45...security check ho gaya...stand in queue to get the yellow envelop...then another to get the token....10:00 am...well at this time I had to attend nature's call...gave my folder to the other student and rushed in....akashwani!!..."token no bla, token no bla, token no bla and token no 518 come and stand in front of counter no 4"....I am inside....oops...my token no is 518....bhago...sala phursat se khade hone ko bhi nahin diya...taking all precautions I rushed out and I find my self last in the line in front of counter 4....this is it, in another 5 mins I’ll be facing the officer...he seems a cool guy, smiling and middle aged....and the first person a girl is rejected. Oh my god!!. Oh god let me get the visa!!....finally I am in front of the visa officer

Me: gave him a big smile and said good morning
He: good morning how r u today?
Me: fine sir (meri toh phat rahi thi!!)...how do u do?
He: I am fine...its going on u can see!!
he: tell me ur plan of study
Me: I am doing my PhD in blah blah with blah as my specialization
He: blah what?...what is blah?
Me: blah is a field in which blah blah blah
He: ok? How r u going to support urself?
Me: blah blah and prof is going to fund me from next yr
He: ok...I am giving u the visa. Here is Ur i-20..Keep it carefully. Have a gr8 time in USA
Me: thank you sir. Have a gr8 day

What a relief. I can’t believe it. I have the visa...I rush out from there and get into the bus...whew. It was not such a big deal though....finally I am coming to the USA

Well but it’s a gr8 experience, especially after u get the visa!!. I was not so thrilled even when I got the highest paying job on campus in TELCO last year...this was something out of the world...lets see if USA stays up to its reputation...bye bye India