First time seeing family since January
Oct. 12th, 2010 11:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
luckycanuckI took a Greyhound up to Sydney yesterday and arrived to see dad for the first time since January.
This morning I went for my October swim in the early morning light a bit after 6:00am and we left to drive into the city at 7:15. Traffic was horrific on account of all the traffic from the northern beaches being reduced at one point to one lane because a truck had broken down. It was much better afterwards, but I was still a few minutes late for my 9:00am visa interview.
It turns out that 9:00am was just when they wanted me to turn up to go through a fairly heavy security screening (no phones, metal detectors, reinforced doors, restricted lifts) and collect a number to wait. The whole process was over very quickly. Some very basic questions about my trip and what I do for a living were asked and after an interview lasting less than two minutes, my visa was granted. I think they probably asked us fewer questions on account of the fact that this whole thing was set up by the US Government.
They also informed me that the $168 fee I paid was unnecessary. A letter listing the things I had to bring said I had to bring a receipt from Australia Post indicating that I had paid the fee, but apparently they e-mailed us saying we didn't need to. I haven't found that e-mail but I will now see about getting that money back. I must have been in a very good mood because I didn't feel the least bit stabby about this mix up.
Afterwards I had a chance to meet up with a Liberal guy I know who will be on the same election observing program as I who had to fly in from Brisbane for it, one of the Labor people, and two of the consulate staff who are organising the tour. Then dad picked me up and we drove down to Canberra.
I introduced him to some work colleagues, and later to my housemates. We all went out to a Vietnamese place for dinner and he is staying overnight. He also thought our house was a very nice house, and it is.
I may see him this weekend if I go up to Sydney, but I may stay back because it will be the last weekend before I go and I may need to take care of a few things. Otherwise I'll see him and the rest of the family in November anyways.
This morning I went for my October swim in the early morning light a bit after 6:00am and we left to drive into the city at 7:15. Traffic was horrific on account of all the traffic from the northern beaches being reduced at one point to one lane because a truck had broken down. It was much better afterwards, but I was still a few minutes late for my 9:00am visa interview.
It turns out that 9:00am was just when they wanted me to turn up to go through a fairly heavy security screening (no phones, metal detectors, reinforced doors, restricted lifts) and collect a number to wait. The whole process was over very quickly. Some very basic questions about my trip and what I do for a living were asked and after an interview lasting less than two minutes, my visa was granted. I think they probably asked us fewer questions on account of the fact that this whole thing was set up by the US Government.
They also informed me that the $168 fee I paid was unnecessary. A letter listing the things I had to bring said I had to bring a receipt from Australia Post indicating that I had paid the fee, but apparently they e-mailed us saying we didn't need to. I haven't found that e-mail but I will now see about getting that money back. I must have been in a very good mood because I didn't feel the least bit stabby about this mix up.
Afterwards I had a chance to meet up with a Liberal guy I know who will be on the same election observing program as I who had to fly in from Brisbane for it, one of the Labor people, and two of the consulate staff who are organising the tour. Then dad picked me up and we drove down to Canberra.
I introduced him to some work colleagues, and later to my housemates. We all went out to a Vietnamese place for dinner and he is staying overnight. He also thought our house was a very nice house, and it is.
I may see him this weekend if I go up to Sydney, but I may stay back because it will be the last weekend before I go and I may need to take care of a few things. Otherwise I'll see him and the rest of the family in November anyways.
