Went to the U.S. Embassy today for the first time. Prepare to get naked...of any metals...to get in to the embassy. You have to give up your smartphone, cell phone, or any other electronic devices (I really feel naked without my phone). Wearing a watch...off...wearing a belt...off...large jewelry...off...so be prepared to feel like you are in an airport. Also, note that NO large bags are allowed but passports are required.
So after our security search, we made it to the waiting area. After a few minutes our "Specialist" arrived behind a large bullet-proof window. She said we could not have our embassy interview until we had our kids' passports and DS260 forms completed and submitted. Sooooooo, Sasha and I raced down the street to the Passport office to see if we could get the Polish passports. After a little wait, we were able to meet with one of the Administrators that issued the passports. We had to check all the spellings, DOB, etc... and then sign off on everything. She then gave me the passports. Once we got through there, we raced back out side and then Sasha asked if I had brought my laptop to complete the DS260. I looked at him with this blank stare and said, "You did not tell me to bring MY laptop." Oh boy, thankfully I had picked my smartphone back up on the way back out of the Embassy so I completed the forms on it - adding in the kids passport numbers, date issued (today), date expired (one year from today). I had to review and confirm each page again of the form so it did take some time to finish. Then I started on the next child. Finally, after the third child's form was completed and I had pushed submit, we raced back into the Embassy. Back through a second "security screening" and then back to the waiting room. Robyn and the kids had been hanging out there the entire time - her job probably was harder than ours just keeping the natives from going crazy. We were then able to submit the passports to the Specialist and confirmed to her that the DS260 forms had been completed including the passport information and submitted online. She said to wait and she would see if we could get the interview scheduled. About 10 minutes later, we were called to another security window for our interview. The nice lady, we are now surprised when we hear plain English, asked us basic questions:
- How long have you been in Poland? "A month."
- Are the children adjusting well? "Yes!"
- Was Lifeline your adoption agency? "Yes"
- How did they do? "Fantastic!"
- I see you changed from another country? "Yes, Peru."
- Why the change? "More multi-children adoption opportunities."
- I see you are from Alabama. Did you watch the game Saturday? Yes with big grins.
- Are you both Auburn grads? Thinking to myself...did the grins give it away? "Yes and I am a third generation Auburn grad." Yes, I needed her to know that...for national security reasons.
- I see you have four other children? "Yes and they are with us here in Poland."
- Well, that should be a fun plane ride back home. "OH, yes!"
- I see you are flying out Tuesday? "Yes."
- Well, the visas will be ready Monday morning for you or your representative to pick up. "Thank you so much!"
One note: It took us about 1:15 to get to the Embassy even though the GPS said 45 minutes with heavy traffic. The traffic is just so congested. It took 40 minutes just to go the first four miles. Not complaining, just pointing out that you need to allow plenty of extra time to drive anywhere.
Whew!! Crazy but fun morning.
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