[ILUG-SOCIAL] US embassies

[Rick Moen]

Quoting Liam Bedford (ilug_social at lbedford.org):
> On Thu, Aug 11, 2005 at 08:08:12AM +0100, Niall O Broin wrote:

> > If the pace described in your tale is what we might change to, I'll
> > pass thanks.

Ja, and sorry about it being a byzantine tale.  Given how sleep-deprived I
was at the time, it's a small wonder it was even coherent at all.

> Fortunately, for real ;) [I]LUGers, getting to glasgow is
> somewhat less painful, and even if you lose your passport, you
> can still get out of the place.

Yes, I was seriously considering asking the consulate flack if she could 
pass along any tips on emigration.  Also, as I was telling Kevin Lyda
in private mail, credit where due:  The young woman at the Grosvenor
Square embassy who helped me with the airlines was wonderful.
Ironically, I'm reasonably certain she was a British national.

Then too, trying to create a good impression for one's countrymen can be
a frustrating experience:  I had been maintaining my absolutely best
manners everywhere, when who should jump the queue ahead of me?  Some
Yank.

> I will say however, Rick, welcome to my world (US embassies etc).

I'd always taken enormous pains in the past not to need one -- but this
experience pretty much matched my low expectations, on the whole.

And please accept my heartfelt apologies to all visitors from overseas,
for that infuriating and ghastly affront of the US immigration officials
wanting to fingerprint you.  That's really an outrage.