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This morning as I drove up to Wales, Simon and Garfunkel's "America" came on the radio. Universe what are you doing? We crossed the bridge to Wales, and there was a lot of info about the upcoming NATO summit in Wales, and every overpass we went under (and there were quite a few) had police standing guard and watching things. And we saw cops everywhere. We parked in Cardiff (where one parking lot was closed and filled with police vehicles and cops hanging about.) and we saw even more police. It was when we walked into the city center/high street that we saw this one special-ops sort holding a semi-automatic weapon. It always throws me. We made it to the UK immigration & visa building.
A very nice man let us in, and then we went through security where we had a cheerful chat with the man checking our bags. Was it the Welsh accent that adds to the friendliness? I kept feeling as if I was about two minutes away from sitting down to tea and cake with the every Welsh person I encountered. Normally when you are dealing with government security and civil servants, it is a super serious affair. Do you have your paperwork? Don't you dare think of bringing this or that. Who cares who you are. Nope. Not these people. Lyrical cheer. It just made me more friendly and oh let's chat at each other.
We went upstairs to reception, had a chat with the receptionist and then waited until my number was called. I presented several envelopes filled with paperwork. Paperwork that asks the UK government very kindly if I could please please stay forever and ever amen, I promise to clean up my bedroom on Fridays, and do the dishes every other night. I provided all kinds of documentation to show how serious I was. Photos, passports, marriage certificates, everyone's birth certificates, bank statements, mail sent to us, etc.. SEE Mr. Jenner can support me. SEE, we are really married. SEE, I haven't been involved in genocide or war crimes. SEE, I know about life in the UK. SEE!!!! The very nice Welsh woman took everything and said, "have a seat, sorry about the coffee machine being broken. We'll get your biometrics next." After a short wait I was called in to another room. And I should mention that while there were people waiting, the atmosphere was quite calm and comfortable. It wasn't a government office where you feel like everyone has lost the will to live, (hello Seattle social security office) or that anarchy might go down. (if you grew up in poverty, and spent time with DSHS you know what I am talking about.) It was just really organized and relaxed. I had another lovely conversation with the man who did my biometrics. He mentioned going on holiday in Cornwall and thought it was rather flat. WHUT? I mean there aren't mountains but it isn't like the Fens. Oh and hey here take my finger prints and my photo. It was back to waiting with the family. Finally (and everything all together took maybe just over an hour) I was called back and was given all of my documentation back, and a piece of paper saying, "Why yes you have been approved. In 7-10 working days, though likely sooner, you will get your card that will allow you to stay indefinitely in the UK. You can work and stuff. Thank you so much for coming in."
What? Just like that? That went well.
We got out of Wales before the chaos of the NATO stuff shut down more roads. We went back to England, stopped at MacDonalds as a treat for the kids, and said, "phew."
Yes. It's true. In a few years I can become a citizen if I so desire.
So let's thank the good kind nature of the Welsh for making it painless.
A very nice man let us in, and then we went through security where we had a cheerful chat with the man checking our bags. Was it the Welsh accent that adds to the friendliness? I kept feeling as if I was about two minutes away from sitting down to tea and cake with the every Welsh person I encountered. Normally when you are dealing with government security and civil servants, it is a super serious affair. Do you have your paperwork? Don't you dare think of bringing this or that. Who cares who you are. Nope. Not these people. Lyrical cheer. It just made me more friendly and oh let's chat at each other.
We went upstairs to reception, had a chat with the receptionist and then waited until my number was called. I presented several envelopes filled with paperwork. Paperwork that asks the UK government very kindly if I could please please stay forever and ever amen, I promise to clean up my bedroom on Fridays, and do the dishes every other night. I provided all kinds of documentation to show how serious I was. Photos, passports, marriage certificates, everyone's birth certificates, bank statements, mail sent to us, etc.. SEE Mr. Jenner can support me. SEE, we are really married. SEE, I haven't been involved in genocide or war crimes. SEE, I know about life in the UK. SEE!!!! The very nice Welsh woman took everything and said, "have a seat, sorry about the coffee machine being broken. We'll get your biometrics next." After a short wait I was called in to another room. And I should mention that while there were people waiting, the atmosphere was quite calm and comfortable. It wasn't a government office where you feel like everyone has lost the will to live, (hello Seattle social security office) or that anarchy might go down. (if you grew up in poverty, and spent time with DSHS you know what I am talking about.) It was just really organized and relaxed. I had another lovely conversation with the man who did my biometrics. He mentioned going on holiday in Cornwall and thought it was rather flat. WHUT? I mean there aren't mountains but it isn't like the Fens. Oh and hey here take my finger prints and my photo. It was back to waiting with the family. Finally (and everything all together took maybe just over an hour) I was called back and was given all of my documentation back, and a piece of paper saying, "Why yes you have been approved. In 7-10 working days, though likely sooner, you will get your card that will allow you to stay indefinitely in the UK. You can work and stuff. Thank you so much for coming in."
What? Just like that? That went well.
We got out of Wales before the chaos of the NATO stuff shut down more roads. We went back to England, stopped at MacDonalds as a treat for the kids, and said, "phew."
Yes. It's true. In a few years I can become a citizen if I so desire.
So let's thank the good kind nature of the Welsh for making it painless.
