Originally posted by peterdavid@Sep 8 2005, 11:00 AM
I had the exact same thing happen to me, like everything with the Embassy, you just have to keep fighting your ground. But everything there is a battle isn't it - even going in for what should be the simplest thing will always turn into some form of battle with them. It's a killer for the blood pressure.
You're so right.
Just collecting the wifes visa was another conflict. We rolled up at 8am, as instructed, took our turn in the queue, got served straight away, and were told to go sit down and we'd be called. Well, three hours later, 11am, and we're sat there still waiting, with the daughter, getting a bit cold and bored now as the air con was set to cryogenic. So, I went up and asked how much longer it would be?
"Oh, you have to come back at 3 o'clock to collect it"

WHAT?????

I asked her if she had actually intended we sit there for seven hours or whether she might have used her pea brain to summon the grain of intelligence necessary to tell us we could leave, then come back at 3 o'clock. The arrogant bitch still argued the toss until a white girl heard the commotion and came across, and I explained to her what had happened, and that we had our year old daughter with us, (with no pram due to security guard monkeys over diligence that we may use it as a weapon&#33.

We often day dream about going back and living in the PI, but things like this always pop up to remind us that every occasion, every operation, will so often turn into a $hit fight against ignorance and apathy.

I hope my ramblings aren't putting anybody off going through the visa process. I see it as more a warning of what to expect than a complaint. I'm sure there are guys out there who expect to arrive at the embassy and be greeted with some respect, escorted in, asked to sit down. Maybe offered tea in the greatest British tradition, and maybe have a friendly word with the embassy staff about cricket or the weather 'back home'. Then a few gentle enquiries and a visa will spring forth unhindered. bwaaahaahaaaaa

Forewarned is forearmed I reckon B)