pbgirl

All the best.

Hi Pattu Rani,

Hope you stay positive. You have a lot of things in common so I think that will help in your case. Being able to speak a common language (or trying to!) and then also religion. Your visits to Nepal will be helpful too. And the short engagment is a cultural norm so don't try to take that too much into account.

I think letters from people who have seen you intereact together would be a good idea. And the fact that his family knows about you and accepts you..big plus!!

Good luck...

I agree about the SOS pads. They clean sinks, dishes, my stove. They're great! Also the Lysol wipes.

Absolutely, if you are lucky enough, you'll have Indian stores around you. I just find the quality at some of them (although Patel Brothers is the biggest and best by far) is not as good as what you can get in India. Especially when it comes to homemade masala you can get in India, or the kind you can buy here.

You'll find things like Ambala oil, Fair and Lovely creme etc here too. But as I said, be prepared to pay the price. My husband laughs when he sees some of the stuff and the price (even taking into account markups for the export/import).

Other things to bring/remember

- one of those roti-warmers. Either the cloth baskets with flaps, or if you have the luggage allownce, try to get the plastic ones with the twist top

- get any clothes that need alteration done while in India. Another huge expense here...

- a tawa (to make rotis). I found some great ones by Hawkins while in India. The ones here just didn't work for me.

Did the interviewer give you anything to sign? When you are approved, most people walk away with a form that says they understand how they have to remove the conditional status 90 days before their 2 year greencard expires.

Unfortunate to hear that your case is pending. How long has it been? What reason/checkbox on 221G were you given?

Stina is right in saying that there are certainly other Indian consulsate stories out there where people are waiting but not the volume that MENA has. ....may that fact give you good hope! Our case was pending for almost 2 months before we received the visa from New Delhi. It was a frustrating experience because there was no one to turn to or get good answers from. Hang in there. And let others share their stories, wait times or anything else they can offer!!

That is so nice to know you've helped someone with such a small gesture. How sweet.

That reminds me, a lot of people get duped at the airport by the "Saran wrap" people (at least at New Delhi). They try to convince you that you need to tightly encase your suitcase in plastic wrap so that it won't get damaged. Don't fall for it, it is totally unnecessary.

You are correct in assuming she might have a difficult time getting a visitor visa if there are not real ties holding her back to Morocco. Does she own property? Does she have a large bank balance to show she gets income locally (i know you said she doesn't work, but rental property etc.?). Being unmarried and having no children does not really help her situation. I have read in various posts that like India, Morocco is seen as a high fraud country, so just having a return ticket won't be enough.

Good luck.

With so many people getting great approvals from India, I thought it might be neat to make a list of some things that people should bring them when coming from India. Either things that are hard to get in the US or are very expensive in comparsion.

Here's a quick list:

1. Don't underestimate good masalas (including haldi!!) that you can get in India. Don't forget a box of chana masala too.

2. For the women...stock up on your favorite face packs! Himalaya Herbals is a safe bet.

3. Medicines....its a lot harder to get prescriptions filled in the US. Go to your chemist in and get your cold, cough, headache medicines. (Including eye drops, I noticed they are a lot cheaper there).

4. Costume jewelry. Bindhis, tikkas and the like.

5. Packets of your favorite namkeen. Pay 50cents in India or nearly $3 here....

Anyone else?

Ignore him...

Cool video! It was built for 2 and 1/2 million dollars, quite a chunk of change back then! Thanks, I really liked seeing this!

After we got the greencard, we went back to the SS office, showed them the greencard and got a new card. Same number but the new card doesn't have the work restriction printed on it (which made some employers nervous if they didn't understand what it referred to).

Good luck and congratulations! Pack warmly and get ready for the experience!

Its a long journey but at least you know its going somewhere! Good news!

Someone's bitter and taking it out on other people.

doccute...keep posting, ignore this guy.

Good luck! No worries, just be prepared and expect all questions!

Oh, I like Emon too. I really think his voice is smooth and he has a funny personality (I don't think he is overconfident like Anu keeps saying). I like Puja too. I am not a big fan of Ankita, she seems to sing the same fast songs everytime. And Prashant should be the next to go. :-)

I really wish they would create a round where they have to sing older songs, maybe from the 60s or 70s. That would really show their vocal range.

This is the first year I have watched it too, we get it on dish on Sony TV.

Unfortunate that she was not given the visa after the interview. She didn't happen to show any pictures where it looked like a wedding may have taken place, rather than just an engagement?

Best you can do is ask her to submit copies of the proof (highlight the relevant parts of the proof) and submit them ASAP. Are you sure they gave her no 221G letter or any other statement? You can also try to email the embassy to ask for clarification on where the case has been left off.

Wow. Good luck with getting the tourist visa. I don't the Indian embassies generally give out tourist visas to people in your age range. And if they know you are going to meet your girlfriend for 3 weeks, that'll create an even faster denial.

I think you have to be prepared that the Indian embassy will regard such a large age gap as suspcious. I think you need to have her come visit you in India. You have to have met in person at least once before applying fo the K1.

I was looking at the website freecallplanet.com for long distance to India. Its says you can get 500 minutes for $24.95. Anyone use their service (not necessarily only for calls to India)?

I know the minutes don't roll over. And you are automatically recharged every month. But it doesn't sound like a bad deal at 4.9c a minute?

Does anyone watch Indian Idol? Whose your favorite? What did you think of the showdown between the judges last week about the "love" comment?

I don't think an arranged marrige has to be a red flag, especially if there is a cultural norm. You can avoid pointing out "arranged" and just say ou met through family.

Even if you have known each other for a few months, do you phone bills? do you have letters, emails? Have you added her to any policies?

You might want to fill in your timeline too.

Best wishes and good luck!

We are both Indian although he was raised in India and I was raised in the US. Multiple trips to India as a kid, and even more as an adult. I can't imagine being with someone and not really understanding their culture or their background. It floors me sometimes that people have only been to their SO countries once (and for maybe 1 or 2 weeks). As someone said, that is not enough time to really "know" a country. And I think you need to know where someone came from to know where they are going (cliche, I know). And once you start having children, I think they really need to understand where it is they come from.

Good luck! Stay cool (literally!!)

:energetic: