"That's very important! Jury, write that down!"

One Step Closer: Visa approved! :) 

Yesterday I visited the US Embassy in London to get my Q1 visa approved and afterward, spent the day wondering around with my eldest brother Sean. Its the second time that I've been to London and not actually visited a museum or art gallery! (The first time was the day I went for my disney interview.) 

So what happened when I visited the US Embassy and was the process simple?

SHORT ANSWER: Yes. If you've ever been to Argos then you have nothing to worry about!!!

Four things you must remember before going to the embassy:

1. Make sure you have all your paper work and your Passport.

2. Don't take any electrical devises with you into the embassy, they are not allowed and they will find them at security. (I'll tell you were to leave them further down.)
3. Take a bank card, as when I was there they didn't accept cash.

4. Make sure you have no cuts or blisters on any part of your fingers or thumbs.

So my day started at 5:30 and I was rushing around so much to leave on time for my train (6:44) that I nearly forgot to take my passport: I know STUPID right! But thankfully my mum reminded me (Thank you) and I wasn't late for my train; Bonus. The train journey to Victoria was very typical and really busy, which is very common for that time in the morning but I manage to find a seat, so I was content. The tubes were boiling! Ok so I was wearing a jacket but seriously it was hot! I took the tube to Bond Street station as it looked the closest  on google maps. Yummy do make a couple of suggestions on which station you can arrive at, but I chose Bond Street in the hope of not getting lost, which I did!  


Nothing to serious though. I knew I had to get to Duke Street for a direct route to the square the embassy is on and that a side road off of Duke Street takes you directly opposite the chemist where you leave your electrical goods. When I got to the station though, I'd forgotten what street I was meant to come out of the tube station from (which would lead me onto Duke Street) and took the wrong exit! Which led to me walking around the station and eventually asking for directions! 


For those of you who go to Bond street this is the route I took: Take the OXFORD STREET exit on the second floor, turn left and walk down the road till you come to an Adidas shop, turn left again and follow Duke Street right to the end of the road (till you come to a green) Turn right, walk along the square and on the corner of the Square is the Embassy (Loads of security and a long Q will greet you!) 


So I found the Embassy, but as I said before I didn't go straight there as I took the side road off  to go to the chemist, who kindly stored all the items I wasn't allowed to take into the Embassy for £3! The chemist is on N AUDLEY STREET. If you go to the Embassy there is a zebra crossing, crossing right onto the road, follow it up until you come to the chemist (its next door to a restaurant.) They are really friendly.  


So having safely store my thing aways I went to join the visa line outside the Embassy, (on the right hand side.) Went through security (where the woman in front of me got sent away for having something to do with a HTC in her bag) Got a number off the receptionist and sat down with everyone else. This is where it turns into Argos: "Now serving N34 at window number 4." Lol!


One thing I must stress is that you have to go to TWO WINDOWS. So after you been up once, YOU HAVE to sit down and WAIT AGIAN. Some people went home after the first window, No No NO. Don't worry though as when you line up to pay for your passport to be sent back to you, they ask you again whether you had your visa approved at the second window. 


I was a substitute candidate so I had to take another letter with me from Disney explaining this. At the second window they ask you some questions and they tell you whether its been approved or not. But thats it, nothing to worry about! The delivery cost of my passport was between £14-15, ( I can't remember off the top of my head) If you want it to be delivered at a certain time of the day it cost more.


Visa approved, one happy bunny left the Embassy and spent the rest of the day running around Selfridges, Oxford street, Convent Garden and Harrods (aww the animals!!!)


Today I've been thinking about how supportive my family are being and how thankful I am to have them! Also that this time in a few months I will be sat in Florida. This latter thought has crossed my mind constantly, especially when doing the simple things that make up our British culture.....