My Montreal Review

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Well hello there people!!!

I just arrived home from Montreal and it was a long train ride but I made it!!

My mom and I left on Thursday morning, bright and early. The train ride wasn't that bad, we got great seats and I got some great shots along the way. Mostly I just wanted to get there and get it over with!!!

We arrived at Union station Montreal and walked the few blocks to our awesome hotel...Hotel Europe (Best Western) It was great. Lovely lobby, the people were very nice, rooms were spacious and clean. We were very happy. Plus, it's right off of Catherine so HELLO! SHOPPING!!!

So...

I woke up bright and early (5:45am) on Interview day and made the 4 or so block walk to the Embassy. There weren't many people on the streets, it was cool and a nice enjoyable walk. I couldn't believe how calm I was...not one bit of nervousness.

The embassy is on 1155 Rue St. Alexandre which is on the corner of Rue St. Alexander and Rue LeBlanc O, it's a tall gray building.

Here is a picture of the embassy entrance.

If you are coming off of Rue. St Catherine street like I was (The huge shopping street) There is a pharmacy on the corner, turn right there and the embassy is on your left on Rue St. Alexandre.

When I got there Leona (Lonaona) was there (BIG HUGS GIRL!! It was amazing meeting you!!! I'm sorry I never got to say bye!!!)

We talked for a bit, she was nervous and I tried to calm her...what a doll.

Then some other people showed up and and just before 7:30am, Anil and Cindy showed up (YOU GUYS ROCK!! Anil, thanks for all the worldly knowledge and for making me laugh...How did it go btw?? Can't wait to hear!!)

They let me in with no appointment letter, just asked if I had a cellphone and I handed over my email from Montreal confirming my date and my passport. Then we walked up a few steps to a glass wall with two doors, they let you in one at a time. The man asked me to put all my stuff in the container to be scanned (Just like an airport) and then to walk through the metal detector. They never made me empty my file folder (Thank GOD!) Nothing went off (yay me) and then they made me spread em so I could be scanned with the wand thingy. Now came the most serious part of the whole experience. I was standing there waiting for Leona (In my mind I totally forgot where I was cause it was just so great to have people there I knew!!) She was detained because she had forgotten a small pocket knife in her purse and I stood there waiting for her and the officer turned to me and said in a very stern voice "MA'AM" OOPS!! LOL I said a quick "sorry!!" and made my way through the door on the right (Which is on your left when you come in but is on your right when you are through the detectors) Then you go down a set of stairs and go into another waiting room.

So there we were, Letter A, Leona, Letter B, Me and Letter C, Anil and Cindy. We chatted casually, it really made it fun!!! A very nice but quiet man came down the elevator about 5 minutes later and escorted us up to floor 19, he made sure that we were the ones with the letters, anyone else in the waiting room who didn't have a letter was not allowed on.

We got up to the 19th floor....WOW!! What a view!!! Wish I could have brought my camera!!! They called me first to window 14 (Which is down a hall and into another little room) and the very kind lady asked for:

My email from the consulate (in replace of my appointment letter)

My birth certificate and a copy

My medical

My passport and 2 pictures

My divorce paper and a copy

DS156K

The I-134 and the letter from Nicks employer (They didn't even want his tax, pay stubs or bank stuff)

Nick's letter of intent (not mine! what a waste of paper!)

My express post envelope.

Then she gave me a slip of paper and asked me to go and pay at the cashiers. (You go out and turn left and walk to the end on the left and pay) I did and went back and sat down.

At that point, Keith and Melinda (keithnlindy) came in (You guys were so nice!!!! Best of luck to you both in Georgia!!!) It was funny cause they were like "Are you Laura?!" Cin&Anil and Leona had done the same thing... I felt like a celebrity a bit!!! LOL Anyway...

Shortly, she called me back and did the fingerprints (Stand back and put your arms straight out when you do the thumb part, it's easier) and she also took the copy of the receipt, showing I had paid.

Then I sat back down and waited to be called for my interview.

Literally 10 minutes later a man called me to window number 8.

When I walked in I was instantly greeted with a huge smile by honestly the kindest man I have EVER met. His name was Gregory. He welcomed me and we talked casually about how Nick and I met, what the video game we met on was all about (he seemed pretty interested in that) and he asked me a bit about New Jersey. Then he said "Oops! I forgot to turn on my computer and log in!!!" He said he was retired and only did this part time and it was his first day there!! LOL He seemed kind of embarrassed but I just said "That's okay!!!" and we laughed and talked casually about how dependent we are on computers these days. We talked a bit about my work at Lowe's and what I may be doing when I move down. It didn't feel at ALL like an interview. We talked a bit about how long my process took, he asked when we got approved and I told him rather quick, like 3 months. He said he didn't understand why it took some people so much longer since they were the ones making the final decision!!! LOL It was weird. Then he asked me to put my finger on the little scanner to make sure it was me. He asked for my middle finger and said "Yep, that's definately you!!!" I said "Oh thank Goodness!!!" and we laughed He asked me to raise my right hand and swear everything I had stated was the truth and that I intended to Marry Nick. I did. He asked me when we were getting married. I said August 16th and he said "very good."

He slid the DS156K back under the glass and had me sign the bottom. Then double checked through my file to make sure I had signed everything so he didn't have to have me come all the way back to Montreal (he was joking and we laughed)

He then casually said "So, no kids for you guys yet?" I said "not yet, we want to be together just us for a bit first" He said "Good plan"

He then said "Well Laura....I am very pleased to say you are approved! I'm very impressed with your application, very organized! I wish you both much luck, Congratulations!!!"

I told him I wanted to give him a big hug and thanked him very very much.

He gave me back my divorce certificate and my birth certificate back and told me they would be mailing my visa off either that day or Monday. He told me about how the visa would look in my passport and talked about how the POE would be, etc. He talked to me about not leaving the States without authorization. I said "Advanced Parole?" He said "wow, you've done your homework!" LOL I said "I sure have!!"

That was it...and it was only 8:55am.

I went back out, gave Anil and Cindy a hug and said bye to Keith and Melinda, Leona was in her interview so I didn't get to say bye to her. I made my way down the elevator and back to the street. When I got back to the hotel I called Nick and we both cried with happiness.

Montreal was lovely. My mom and I had a terrific bus tour and ate at some great places. I found the people there very nice and everyone spoke English. All you have to do is speak English to them first. I want to go back with Nick for like a week and really get to spend some time there. I adored it.

So..that's it! The train ride home was great...we got to ride on this old sleeper car and it was super comfortable.

Good luck to everyone who has interviews coming up and thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. I love this site and I'm so so thankful for all the help I have gotten from each and every one of you!!!

Edited June 22, 2008 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Krikit 1,163]

What a great review, Laura! And thanks for the pictures. It's just like being there. That's so neat that you got to meet a bunch of VJ'ers!

Congratulations on getting your visa!!!!!

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Thanks Laura, for the awesome review and pictures! I'm glad that it all went well and that you got approved

Just think back to last November, when we first started talking.. we were both getting ready to send in our I-129. Look at us now.. you got your approval and I have my interview on Thursday!! Andddd we are both moving on July 19th! lol

Thank you soooo much for being there when I needed a friend to talk to, you truly are an amazing person and I can only hope the best for you and Nick in the future!

Congrats again!!

[Zee Bee 61]

Congratulations Laura!!!!

[ChasingAmy 0]

Congratulations Laura!!!!

CongratsLaura!!! But you can't move yet!! You have to come help me with my process once I get my NOA2 lol I am no good at paperwork! Thankfully my SO is a wiz at it. I love that she's a smarty hehe. anyway...you have a safe trouble free trip and thanks for the review. Amy and I are going to go spend some time in Montreal when she comes to visit next month. Thanks for the pics.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I echo Krikit's sentiments, it was a great review and the photos were lovely, I figured there was something under all that snow. You lucked out, no Mean Debbie only a nice gentleman, it looks like providence was indeed on your side. I'm sure that if you had met Debbie you would have given her a middle finger even if she didn't ask for it. Looks like the VJ contingent is getting stronger every day. One more thing, now that you have posted pictures of the Consulate, you're being sent to Gitmo as a security risk. Just kidding, enjoy your evening and, of course, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

BTW, now that you're finished with the Consulate, you can go ahead and fart now.

Edited June 22, 2008 by IR5FORMUMSIE

[Cassie 8]

laura, you crack me up! Nice review!

[Eric_and_Corinna 0]

Congrats Laura!! That's so awesome! But...I didn't know you worked at Lowes! I love that place-I honestly go there every day and just wander around looking at tools, even on days when I'm not working on my house

[kimmbo 0]

Congrats Laura, great review!! so glad you had such an enjoyable time in Montreal...

[SapphireDreams 71]

Congrats Laura!!! I am SO excited for you and so happy for you guys!!

[BH45 0]

Congrats Laura. What a great review and sounds like you had a wonderful experience.

Now the packing begins and closing your accounts or putting them on hold. In less than a month, you'll be home with Nick.

[LindaB 0]

Congratulations Laura!!!!!!! This time next month I will there too, I can't wait!

[Mephys 2]

oh man , Laura....

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

I am so happy for you Glad to hear everything went well!!! And glad to hear the Frenchies didn't give you a hard time!!

And that pic of the embassy....ah memories

You are almost on your way my dear

Edited June 22, 2008 by Mephys

[Flames9_RN 358]

congrats

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I agree, great review, and how lovely that you met up with other VJers at the Consulate:-). I agree, that view is spectacular; I'm glad you had a great time in Montreal. Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!