I'd been waiting for my visa for a while now. But it seems to be jinxed and taking abnormally long to process.

So basically what was the most (potentially) exciting month of my life, had turned into a dud and clearly become a wait game.

Hadn't read any of my training manuals since I was busy vegetating and whining.

Had not started any packing because the only time I did some shopping for travel about 15 days back, was the day that I got the notice that my visa would be delayed (Yes, tad bit superstitious. But I wasn't taking any chances!)

Anyway, so I finally got my electronic approval notice for visa around 2200 hours, two days back. Let's call it day 0.

I was SUPER stoked!

It meant sooner or later I WAS going to start my residency!

But then, to leave I needed to get my visa stamped. The available dates seemed to be around day 14. I just booked a date and took a chance with emailing the Embassy, taking a shot at requesting an emergency appointment.

Around 1000 hrs, day 1. I got an email scheduling my emergency appointment for 1100 hrs, day 2!

Err.. Very short notice! But manageable.

But in about half an hour of receiving the email I realized that you needed paper copies of an approval notice to appear for the interview.

Shit.

I didn't have it with me.

Day1, 1100 hrs. I emailed the Embassy asking whether I could just come in with the electronic receipt. No clear response.

I decided to wait for a couple of hrs before deciding and to shop and pack in the meanwhile.

By evening we were again in panic mode. No clear reply from the Consulate.

Since this was emergency appointment we weren't sure if it was a wise move to not appear for the interview at all. But then showing up with insufficient documents was very risky too!

We ended up spending two hours (two precious hours!) trying to decide on what to do.

I drafted an email asking them to cancel the appointment. But didn't send it yet.

We decided to drive halfway through to another city and decide on the final step then.

As Ritz and I started some frantic packing, we got an email reply (finally!) asking me to appear only with the documents I had.

So packing for a move and about six months of stay was done in two hours! (Some sort of record?)

And we were out of the house by 1900 hrs.

Now, I was waiting on a scanned copy of this approval notice from the lawyer who was supposed to get it the same day and had promised to email it to me.

Day 2, 0300 hrs. I got the scanned document!!!! YES! Happiness!!

I had at least something substantial to show them if they asked for the approval notice.

Day 2, 1100 hrs. I went for the interview. And within two hours I was told that my visa was approved. And I could pick it up the next day from VFS office.

YAYYYYYY!

I decided to meet up w/ Navy and shop till I drop! Booked tickets for the flight the next day.

It was all good.

Finally.

An ordeal that lasted for a month had come to an end, and I could finally start!

But wait..

Day 3, 1530 hrs. We got to the VFS office to pick up my stamped passport.

At 1605, I head to to counter only to be told that my passport was not sent to the office that day and today being Friday, I would have to come on Monday.

O.0

I asked them to check over again repeatedly, and finally asked for any alternatives. The guy said the only hope was to get to the Embassy before 1700 hrs and request them.

Now we had come to the office in an auto. The typical Delhi CNG type. No sooner had we started, it started pouring down cats and dogs.

Full filmy climax feel.

Now Pa and I started thinking of alternate options. I called up my travel agent to cancel tickets. But then good sense prevailed and asked him to wait another half hour.

The drive never seemed to end!

Eventually we got to the Consulate and I ran to the gates to check if anything was possible.

Full rain pouring down and stuff.

Talked to the guards there and explained my situation. Got a smallish lecture on how I should have waited for my passport before making any plans. But then one good guy eventually took my tokens inside to explain the situation.

Ten tense minutes later, I was called in.

Smallish lecture again. But then the kind lady handed my passport over.

I could not believe my luck as I rushed outside!!

As I came out I met some one in the *same* situation but just a half hour late, who was not being allowed in. --Orientation started, tickets booked for Saturday, visa interview a day back. The only difference was she didn't have an emergency appt and was a little late in arriving. (Hope she got in though!)

I ran to the auto to get to other things and sort them out since I WAS leaving tonight!

Oh, and the downpour stopped completely halfway through this ride.

O.0

It's all good. Finally.

-- Written while on the plane. I'll update if there is more drama at the Port of Entry. (I'll be surprised if there is none)

EDIT: there was absolutely no drama at the PoE or even customs check!

Now that WAS a shocker!

(I've been taken for a secondary check both times I entered US before this. And have had bags opened by customs on one occasion)