India visa: Mission Accomplished
Woo hoo!
I am able to visit India for up to 180 days in the next year! I'm legal!
Sabine and I went to Vidal in Santa Monica on Friday (I wanted to go lighter, but because of the coloring, now instead have semi-permanent darker - until the old coloring grows out - and hair is MUCH shorter). We played our usual "gay or straight?" game, and I tell you - the metrosexual movement has severely jammed my gaydar. "Creative cuts" (an advanced class they teach) guy was Leonard who lives across the street from REI! Not a chatty bloke, though I did get him to tell more about all his tattoos.
Then we went to Eva's in Long Beach - my first time at her apartment. A nice place in a nice location - just a couple blocks or so from the beach, and 10-15 minute walk to shops and restaurants (I timed myself as I struggled along 2nd Avenue this morning desperately seeking coffee). Very nice landscaping all around - love it. Eva's apartment building is ... quirky. The foyer is entirely mirrors and wallpaper - even the doors and security cameras are wall-papered! Retro floral print - very amusing.
So, Sabine and I drove to Artesia this morning, arriving just after 9 a.m. at the Cultural Center (Hindu "church") and proceeded to stand in line for FOUR HOURS. Poor Sabine - I suggested she go sit in the truck and read/do work, but she stood in line the whole time (hell, maybe I should have gone to the truck and read). The guy behind us, an Indian-American, was a very chatty fellow and we had an enjoyable time - well, as enjoyable as four hours in a parking lot in Southern California on a May Saturday can be. There was a crisis moment - as we neared the door, I was convinced by the man behind that I should be applying for a 10 year visa instead of just the one, and I learned of another $10 I would have to pay for my application that day. So I was like, damn, if I have to get another money order I may as well just get it for $50 more for the longer visa, but I don't have that much cash with me, so I guess I'll just mail it in after all.
Now, I've known Sabine for about three years - and I have never seen anything quite like the look I received. "You are so fickle! I did not just stand for 3 1/2 hours here for you to not get a visa!" "No, I'm not fickle - I have more information now." "Justify it however you like - you cannot even make a decision for five seconds!" Which isn't true of course - but I am known to change my mind with new information. No need to stick with the plan when the plan sucks.
But, I nonetheless did go ahead with just the 1-year visa - to save the cash and time (and probably my neck). As we neared the visa workers I started to get nervous from all the paperwork other people had, the long conversations, the miscommunications, etc. One American woman (vast majority were of Indian descent, but she was blond), ended up crying. Now, I'm sure I'll be pushed to tears more than once while in India, but my goal is to not get there before landing in the foreign land.
No tears. Everything was in order. I had to leave the passport there for processing and took Sabine (quickly getting to cranky and beyond) to food suggested by man behind who would know - Udipi Palace. OK, I've now tried southern Indian food several times - and I don't like it. It's ok, but nothing to get excited about, I think. I'm all about the naan and other northern delights, and dosas just don't quite compare. I left Sabine for shopping and I drove back to the visa place and read in my truck. They said to pick up the visas between 4-4:30, but when the others started lining up I joined them - and they actually opened up early and I had my visa before 3:30!
Anyway, a few more hours to kill in Artesia and nasty traffic - but now I'm home and mission is accomplished! Life is good!
I am able to visit India for up to 180 days in the next year! I'm legal!
Sabine and I went to Vidal in Santa Monica on Friday (I wanted to go lighter, but because of the coloring, now instead have semi-permanent darker - until the old coloring grows out - and hair is MUCH shorter). We played our usual "gay or straight?" game, and I tell you - the metrosexual movement has severely jammed my gaydar. "Creative cuts" (an advanced class they teach) guy was Leonard who lives across the street from REI! Not a chatty bloke, though I did get him to tell more about all his tattoos.
Then we went to Eva's in Long Beach - my first time at her apartment. A nice place in a nice location - just a couple blocks or so from the beach, and 10-15 minute walk to shops and restaurants (I timed myself as I struggled along 2nd Avenue this morning desperately seeking coffee). Very nice landscaping all around - love it. Eva's apartment building is ... quirky. The foyer is entirely mirrors and wallpaper - even the doors and security cameras are wall-papered! Retro floral print - very amusing.
So, Sabine and I drove to Artesia this morning, arriving just after 9 a.m. at the Cultural Center (Hindu "church") and proceeded to stand in line for FOUR HOURS. Poor Sabine - I suggested she go sit in the truck and read/do work, but she stood in line the whole time (hell, maybe I should have gone to the truck and read). The guy behind us, an Indian-American, was a very chatty fellow and we had an enjoyable time - well, as enjoyable as four hours in a parking lot in Southern California on a May Saturday can be. There was a crisis moment - as we neared the door, I was convinced by the man behind that I should be applying for a 10 year visa instead of just the one, and I learned of another $10 I would have to pay for my application that day. So I was like, damn, if I have to get another money order I may as well just get it for $50 more for the longer visa, but I don't have that much cash with me, so I guess I'll just mail it in after all.
Now, I've known Sabine for about three years - and I have never seen anything quite like the look I received. "You are so fickle! I did not just stand for 3 1/2 hours here for you to not get a visa!" "No, I'm not fickle - I have more information now." "Justify it however you like - you cannot even make a decision for five seconds!" Which isn't true of course - but I am known to change my mind with new information. No need to stick with the plan when the plan sucks.
But, I nonetheless did go ahead with just the 1-year visa - to save the cash and time (and probably my neck). As we neared the visa workers I started to get nervous from all the paperwork other people had, the long conversations, the miscommunications, etc. One American woman (vast majority were of Indian descent, but she was blond), ended up crying. Now, I'm sure I'll be pushed to tears more than once while in India, but my goal is to not get there before landing in the foreign land.
No tears. Everything was in order. I had to leave the passport there for processing and took Sabine (quickly getting to cranky and beyond) to food suggested by man behind who would know - Udipi Palace. OK, I've now tried southern Indian food several times - and I don't like it. It's ok, but nothing to get excited about, I think. I'm all about the naan and other northern delights, and dosas just don't quite compare. I left Sabine for shopping and I drove back to the visa place and read in my truck. They said to pick up the visas between 4-4:30, but when the others started lining up I joined them - and they actually opened up early and I had my visa before 3:30!
Anyway, a few more hours to kill in Artesia and nasty traffic - but now I'm home and mission is accomplished! Life is good!
posted by NOLA at 7:38 PM
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