Sunday, August 10, 2008

Tales From Walter Carrington Crescent

Have you paid a visa-seeking visit to the American Consulate in Victoria Island,Lagos lately? Well, I have and it was an interesting experience. From the time I arrived the nearby Napex parking area about 6.30 that weekday morning, there was one thing or the other catching my attention almost every couple of minutes. Since I strangely forgot to come along with the pre-requisite passport photographs for my application form, I was referred, by some hustling young men, to a busy place by the lagoon where chaps with digital cameras were busy turning the place to makeshift studios by quickly snapping those in similar circumstances as me. It was funny seeing how one person held a white cloth behind the applicant (since pictures with a white background were compulsory requirements from the Embassy) while the photographer did the needful.After obtaining my overpriced passport-sized picture,i then stood in line till it was time to enter the US territory.While there,we were entertained by a newspaper vendor who joked that buying a paper was a key requirement for entering the building. He also mentioned that no sharing of newspapers was permitted at the Consulate(his comical ploy to get every interested person to buy his/her own copy).This guy with a great sense of humor pleaded that applicants should kindly not go in with any charms,as a simple prayer was a better option in their pursuit of the coveted seal. The other funny observation was the variety of services being rendered by the large number of hustlers outside the consulate building. There were even those who offered to hold your mobile phone for you (for a fee, of course) while one was inside conducting his/her affairs within, since the embassy strictly forbade all applicants from going in with them. This service comes in handy in cases where the impending traveler didn’t come along with a car and had no other choice. That said, and apart from the few people who tried to be typical ‘Nigerians’ by attempting to jump the queue, there wasn’t any other significant incident noticed while waiting.Oh,i actually forgot something else.A s we queued,i enviously watched most of the foreign staff get to work via speedboat/ferry.A smart way of beating the legendary island traffic.
While inside & seated, I noticed the young guy beside me was taking no chances in his quest and had even included pictures from his wedding day (an extra effort to show the Americans that he had important ties in Nigeria).Then there was this Ibo man with his wife and 2 kids who had told a security guard, with whom he had a little confrontation, that he wasn’t desperate to go to ‘God’s own Country’ and, as such, should be treated with respect.Therefore,I was understandly quite surprised to see his eyes water when the interviewer told him later that she couldn’t grant him the visa as she was unconvinced he and the family would return after their intended ‘visit’.
I did feel sorry for one of two tense siblings who were hoping for student visas. They each saw a different interviewer.Outcome: the girl was given, while the brother was denied. He stood motionless for close to a minute after the lady had informed him of her decision. I wondered what the mood in their home would be later in the day.Bittersweet, to say the least. I also easily recollect a fair-skinned young lady who was denied barely 30seconds into her interview.
As for me, my interaction with my blonde-haired male interviewer was brief as well. And luckily, it ended with a positive result: 2 years, multiple.
By the time I was driving away from Walter Carrington Crescent, it was just past noon. I was hungry and a bit tired.Nevertheless,like i earlier mentioned,I enjoyed the experience.
Obama Country,see you in the near future.

13 comments:

poeticallytinted said...

I am LMAO here. Congrats oh! Yankee at all costs! lol. This is another 'hot' topic. Well done.

Seriously though I wish things were different and Nigeria was good enough to make us want to stay here and not endure indignities at foreign embassies. And I feel so sad for the young hopeful student who didn't get the coveted visa.

Here's something funny, I have an aunty who used to live in the USA back in the 70's. She kept coming home to Nigeria (Lord knows why)to have her babies, five of them! You don't want to know how her children feel about that especially each time they need to go to the American embassy for the golden fleece.

Anonymous said...

Amen

Anonymous said...

You enjoyed the 5+hrs?

Anonymous said...

Americans wanting to visit Nigeria have to go to the Nigerian embassy here and trust me Nigerians do not disappoint. Take NY Nigerian consulate were I would not wish your fate dependent on those incompetent staff. I had the unfortunate experience of losing my passport a few years back and my experience was so bitter I have resolved to hang on to that document like it's another part of my body. To make a long story short, the solution to getting a new passport after about 6 months of waiting to get approval from Abuja was to go back home and apply for a new one! I asked them, 'what of' my Yankee visa wey dey the passport? I was told that I could reapply in Lagos at the US embassy. The thought of waiting under hot sun for how many hours for one consulate official to stamp my passport sent shivers down my spine. I just did not bother! Naija! Needless to say I eventually got it approved after 9 months of waiting.
So anyway back to Americans trying to get US visa, dem get to enter line like everybody else. The only difference na inside office as you no go fit stand for road like that in NY C without a placard of some sort. They are strict about you going through all the requirements for a visa and until you do so, no visa. On the other hand, you don't have millions of Americans trying to visit Nigeria but it does take about 3 weeks to process which is madness considering most other countries its usually about a day to get a visa processed so go figure. Nigeria. We never fail...

Chakams said...

@Bayo,only in the 'sights & sounds' aspect

Anonymous said...

U didnt mention the 500naira for supplementary form when its available 4 download on d US embassy page....Eko o ni baje.Lol

Anonymous said...

I de fear to go there oooo! Charles advice is needed on the way forward.
Delete

Chakams said...

Joey,no need to panic..lol

Anonymous said...

Do the security guards there still pretend to be AMERKEN and fire that nasty American phonee?
I wonder if an American embassy security guard has ever applied/been refused a visa to go to yankee?

Chakams said...

Daniel,dont hav an answer to ur question but i know of a British High Commission staff(Nigerian) who was denied a UK visa..now my question to them is 'if u cld trust her enough to hire her,why cant you trust her to return from a trip to jand?'

Anonymous said...

Hmm... Charles, your note captures the situation in exact terms and your last comment (question) is off the hook! I can picture the BDHC employee in her shattered state, after being denied entry into the "palace" by her "Master", having probably bragged about her "connections" to people beyond Walter Carrington Crescent... Hand Falling!

Anonymous said...

You forgot to mention the "pastors" and "churches" that spring up outside complete with praise worship, intercession and offering time, belssing time.....or do those not happen anymore?

Chakams said...

@Shina,lol...@Modupe,didnt c them...probably they've been banished