September 10, 2005
Easier than expected
We got a passport for David yesterday.
Oh, we didn't actually get the passport. But we both went down to the US Embassy downtown and submitted the application... birth certificate, photos, all that good stuff.
A friendly person at the Embassy had tipped us to come on Friday, because the visa section -- which generates a lot of traffic, long lines and whatnot -- is closed on Fridays. And sure enough, the Embassy was pretty quiet. We were able to zip right through security and get our stuff done in just a few minutes, while David sat on the counter being cute.
"Why, hello there, young man. What's your name?
"David!"
"And how are you today, David?"
"David!"
etc., etc.
Good thing: everything went really briskly and everyone was pleasant and friendly.
Less good thing: every US Embassy in the world everywhere is a damn fortress. Barred windows, reinforced doors, security checks, bulletproof glass. One street that runs by it is closed; another has concrete bollards, to prevent a car bomber from getting too close.
I am just old enough to remember when this was not so. But I suspect it will be like this for the rest of my life.
Maybe David will see a time when the bars come down. I'd like to think so.
Posted by douglas at September 10, 2005 12:02 AMyou're still a nation at war, aren't you? Hence the bars, reinforced windows, the barricades and the rest.
However, try getting a visa by playing the role of a 3rd world citizen...I bet your experience will not appear as smooth.
Btw, Doug, since you have some inside info and putting it together with Katrina's coverage from mass media, what is your opinion on the differences/similarities regarding this summer's Romanian floods (and the way they were handled) and the American approach with what happened in the South. Would be quite curious about your two cents -- thanks.
Posted by: Dragos at September 10, 2005 01:01 AMQuod licet Jovi, non licet bovis!
Posted by: gelu at September 10, 2005 04:04 AMQuod licet Jovi, non licet bovis!
Posted by: gelu at September 10, 2005 04:07 AMQuod licet Jovi, non licet bovis!
Posted by: gelu at September 10, 2005 04:12 AMMy apologies for the mess I've done here!...
Posted by: gelu at September 10, 2005 04:35 AMI'm nitpicking here:
"Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi." No 's' in bovi. ;-)
It's one of the few Latin quotes I know by heart - it used to be a favorite of my Dad's.
The American community in Bucharest is not very large, so the Department for American Citizen Services is not very busy. This is quite different in Frankfurt, for instance. Which is why we were so delighted.
And believe me, I've had my share of bad INS experiences, if that is what you are referring to. Once, I had to stand in line for eight (8!) hours to get a simple stamp in my passport. But they are getting better, I have to say. The last time, earlier this year, I had to wait for all of 10 minutes. I was very happy.
Posted by: claudia at September 10, 2005 10:15 AMWhat I meant was that sometimes things may not work out as smooths if you're not a native, which is understandable since one of the missions of the embassy is providing support to the co-nationals. Actually, for what is worth, I heard that the service at the US embassy in Bucharest improved considerably.
Gelu, I know very well you can be rude from all the emails you keep sending me, I hope that some times you will be able to at least substantiate an argument. :)
Posted by: Dragos at September 10, 2005 10:49 AMIt not just the bars and the bulletproof glass: you should see the havoc they reek on the neighborhoods they're in. In Hamburg, the consulate got the city to block off one of the more noble streets in the city along the Alster. And then there's the embassy in Berlin, where the street is also blocked off. Pure madness not to mention bad neighbors.
Posted by: Karl at September 11, 2005 01:00 AM