Quick Trip

A few Mondays ago, I had to make a fast trip into Seoul, and the US Embassy, to secure an affidavit, as in the self-certifying type, that said that I had no criminal background in the States. They really have the process of dealing with US citizens down to a science. Here are some pictures I got.

This is a Korean police officer guarding the pedestrian entrance to the Embassy where only a few people are allowed in at a time. Inside this little building, one passes through a metal detector and any bags are sent through an airport-type machine for all to be examined closely. They took my camera, cellphone, and my toothbrush that I brought for my over-night trip. Toothbrush is battery operated.

This is the vehicle entrance, again guarded by Seoul police. It's just a few steps down from the pedestrian entrance.

In my pre-trip fantasy, I completely forgot that since September 11, all embassies were reinforced for increased security. So, there was no gleaming white building with a giant American flag waving outside. Instead, a two-tone brown building sat solemnly. The place is ALL business.

My timing wasn't the best for this visit. The week before, all those registered with the Embassy received an email alerting us that while the anti-US beef candle light "vigils" had not exactly turned "anti-American", it was best to be alert and to stay out of the areas where vigils were being held. Easier said than done for most people living in Seoul.

It was weird to see the Embassy surrounded by these Seoul police buses. You'll see the wire window coverings on the bus, close up, above. It's funny. The first time I saw one of these buses, back in August, it was sitting alone on a nice residential street. In Phoenix, they transport prisoners in these types of buses. When I saw the one still alone in Seoul, I kept wondering why a bus load of prisoners would be sitting on a quiet street all by itself.

This isn't the best picture, but it shows the multiple stories of the US Embassy from a cab. I couldn't get a shot from the street.Inside the Embassy, you are given a number, Baskin-Robbins style. When your number is up, there are windows with nice people to help. I quickly filled out the form I needed for self-certification and notary, paid my 31,000+ won, and was told to wait. I had read what to expect on their web site so the process was easy. Exactly 20 minutes later, my name was called, I had to raise my right hand and swear that the info I gave was the truth and I was out of there. Most people I saw were there because they lost their Passports or they needed more pages added to them. It was a great experience.

I was hoping to see the Ambassador. The poor guy has been going through a ton of stuff around the beef issue. Brother! Life's too short to think you're going to get Mad Cow Disease.