Business Visa - B1

Today (9-Sep-13), I attended the B1 visa interview at Kolkata consulate. The interview was at 8:00 AM. Before going into the consultate I was having mixed feelings. I was going for a US visa interview after a gap of seven years. I woke
up at 5:45 AM. After freshing up, I got dressed up and left home. No breakfast. It was cloudy and drizzling. Getting my car out of the garage during rainy days is always a problem. Wasted another 25 minutes. I was on the road by quater by 7:00 AM. As I approaching the second Hoogly bridge to get to kolkata, it was a lovely sight - the muddy river, the early sunrise partially hidden in the dark rain clouds and the drizzle. As I crossed over the bridge, the drizzle was no
more. Unfolded a Kolkata so beautiful - empty streets, clean streets, greenery on the 'maidan , puffy white clouds all over the maidan area. Lovely sight, Awesome!

I reached Kolkata Consulate at Ho chi Minh Sarani in another 20 minutes. Parked my car adjacent to the consulate (yes,there is a parking space), did wait for another ten minutes to have a quick breakfast, put on my blazer and walked my way to the consulate. I was let in after the security checked in my appointment date and time. Into the reception area, a lady checked in my passport and documents, was asked to wait for two minutes, and then walked to the councelling room. Here, I was once again called by an officer(an Indian) to the window, the documents were
rechecked. A sticker with a number was affixed on the back of my passport. A wait of another ten minutes and finally I was standing in queue for the final interview. My number was called and I was in front of the the lady officer
(American) for the interview.

Q: Good morning. How are you doing?
Myself: Good morning. I am fine.

Q: Why do you need to visit US?
Myself: I am going there primarily to attend business meetings. I am XYZ consultant and specialist in XYZ skills/application/product. The client has been having business dealing with my company for several years now. I am going there to share my knowledge and experience for their upcomming solutions.

Q: Are you married?
Myself: Yes

Q: Is she travelling with you on this trip?
Myself: No

hmmm.... Ok. Your visa is approved. I am keeping back your passport. Thank You.
Myself: Thank you.

It was over in one and half minute. I came back to the reception area, handed a despatch form with three hundred rupees, to send back the passport to my mailing address. A relief. A drive back to my home took another twenty minutes. Had my morning cup of tea over the day's newspaper. In another half an hour I was getting ready for office.