The most frustrating part of the whole immigration thing so far was the
medical exam. These doctors have a nice thing going here. Did I just get robbed
or didn't I. Had to pay 219 euro in total for the dumbest exam ever. That doctor
van Iterson and his wife are a nice bunch of rip-off artists. If someone puts a
knive on your throat and takes your money you can go to the police and complain
about it. But what do you do about this doctor? He looks down your underwear and
takes your blood, your piss and your money.
His wife the assistant has the
character of a mean dog. And the looks too. I had my blood tested in America for
antibodies of Mumps, Measles and Rubella. They said I did not need the shot. But
that was not good enough for Mr and Mrs van Iterson. They charge me 29 euro for a
shot I could get for free in the US, but they would not give it to me there
because I did not need it. I pay for health insurance in Holland, I pay for more
health insurance in America and I have to pay more good honest money to that
doctor and his wife.
Monday, Januari 27 2003. Is today really going to be my last visit to the US
consulate? I have checked all my paperwork and it looks like I have
everything.
So I have set my alarmclock (and the alarmclock on my mobile
phone, as a backup...) at 6.15, I jump out of bed when they start beeping and I
am on my way to Amsterdam. I leave my swiss army knife at home, and amaze the
security guard by completely emptying all my pockets before he even asked. I
wait a bit and get called to window three. I give all my paperwork to a woman
and get send to window seven to pay. After a little more waiting I am called to
window two. The consul is waiting there and does the interview. He has two
questions.
And that was all! At three my envelope was ready. A brown envelop, taped shut, lots of stamps on it, with an official looking piece of paper stapeled to the outside.
Do you want to know the last bit?
epilogue
