21.8.10

Visa

I'm done with my visa finally! But the major discovery is- I thought i'm mentally prepared for meeting people culturally different from me all this while, but i found that i'm actually not-really ready yet. 3 days back i was in the High Commission of India where this place was flooded by indians and such scene made the thought i was already in india -.- Like a lost duckling i searched for notice board, well they were all in tamil and i couldn't read any of it!


-the lost duckling-



No way they must hav got something for us non-indian! :O

*didn't give up casting my sight from walls to walls, spotted one written in english at last, studied through*

Ok now i nid to get to the 2nd counter...

While making my way through the crowd to reach the point where i was supposed to be, i found myself being stared like an utter outsider by some unfriendly and unfamiliar faces (not that they weren't friendly, they just looked freaking serious) There were two fair-skinned in-my-age boy and girl in the sea of people waiting helplessly to be attended too, they couldn't hide their anxiousness towards disorganization of the staff's filing system (like me) thus raising questions for reassurance was the only securance measure they could take (i know it might be irritating for staffs, but we had the rights to get well-informed, and as long as we felt better, who cares :P )


I then headed to india visa centers and it was greta seeing our documents being handled in a better manner, neat and coordinated at least (though received awkward stares while walking across the hall too, that doesn't feel good, at all) It took quite some time before i directed myself to the counter.

There was this indian lady in her late 50's, kind and approachable, joined the crowd and sat down. Not more than 5 minutes after composing herself, the punjabi man next to her initiated conversation about traveling and both of them started telling their stories. This lady sounded like...... "i'm going to A..... then B........ then C then finally D" A man sitting two chairs away broke his silence right after hearing such complication then gave opinion on alternative simple flight route. Wasn't only the man suggesting, folks around the old lady politely spoke and shared wise advice too. (Do comparison: Do we chinese make sound when finding out the others are in trouble? NAH! Chinese all kiamsiap-kiamsiap belaka, they don't give a shit about your problem) While enjoying hearing conversations, i got to know that the man who'd been sharing helpful tips is an MBBS degree holder and used to travel there once a week, he has his own driver somemore in india! (wow) Mind you i wasn't eavesdropping, the office was as silent as the grave. Isn't only doctor, he's a very kind doctor! :D he's going to offer help on transport and accommodation for the lady. Chinese? u wan to die? go ahead and die! I'm not betraying my own race.... i'm just telling what i see, no hard feelings ;) So i handed in my documents but this ain't the end of the story 'cz i still had to come this place again for collection, which is the last step of the procedures :D

The next day evening, i stepped in... "P'tang encik, nak collect visa ni" Upon learning that i needed to wait for an hour, i got myself a seat then dozed off. Moments later i was already in the line claiming my passport, like everyone else, i breathed a sigh of relief. fuuuuhhhhhhhhh! With a subtle smile of satisfaction, i left the building.



*Ok off to the bathroom! i haven't brush n floss my teeth yet -.- *