Look like it did not slow your process a bit. If you would not make a silly error, you would get NOA2 in less then 5 month. For CSC 5 month is normal.
Here is quote from your time line:
The price of ticket is only one side. When I travel I was looking at price and how long it will take. I had good luck with Orbitz as you can choose departure and flight separately. The tickets in summer always expensive as well US increase tax that lead of increasing price as well.
Note: Use flexible dates +3/-3 days to see ticket prices. A co worker flew to Togo and he used United airlines direct site. (It was cheaper for him)
ffp got a reaction from KayDeeCee in Is there a downside to expedite request?
ffp got a reaction from EminTX in Good websites for International airlines