The Golden Ticket

These days, applying for a US Visa in the Philippines is pretty much like auditioning for American Idol (AI):

1. Most people go to achieve their American Dream. (I went coz my sister's getting married in the US.)

2. The embassy schedules your interview just like AI announces its auditions in a particular city or state.

3. You may need to travel a distance. In the Philippines, you can only apply for the visa at the embassy in Manila. In AI, some contestants come from nearby cities or states in order to audition.

4. You have to come in early and like AI, long lines are involved.

5. You will also be given a number to know it's your turn.

6. Similar to AI, there is a pre-screening but for the embassy, it's more accurate to say finger scanning before the consul (judges) actually sees you.

7. You may think you have the qualifications but you never know what the consul would think of you (are you high-risk or not?).

8. You also get a golden (actually it's yellow) ticket that tells you, "you're going to Hollywood, baby!"