Boston

I'll be updating this as and when I remember what I did. Right now it's a bit of a daze...

Thursday

Get up early for the airport from my parents', and get stuck in the most almighty traffic. Get to the airport with just enough time for check in and a rushed breakfast at Wagamama (their kedgeree is great, and the breakfast soba noodles scrummy, by the way). Mike nips to the loo, and en route notices the board stating our flight is now boarding, and it's supposed to take 15 mins to get there. Eek. We run the rest of the way, and are about to get on the plane when Mike gets stopped and is searched. Just because, apparently.

During the flight, our TVs flicker and pause constantly. It's maddening, and gives me a headache.

On the plane, I fill in the green form and the customs form. Something about a visa waiver is mentioned on the tannoy. I assume, fairly, this means the green form, as per usual. We touch down in Boston, and I get the usual hot flushes and nausea after stepping off a plane, which I think is some kind of reverse motion sickness - and exactly the state I want to be in when seeing immigration.

Mike swans through easily, only I'm in another queue. My lady takes forever, and starts asking me a pile of odd questions.
'Have you been to the US before?'. Er, yes, hence the three previous stamps. I came more on my old passport.
'What was the purpose of those visits?'. Holiday.
'What is the purpose of your current visit?'. Holiday. It's my birthday tomorrow, you see.
'Why didn't you fill in Esther?'. Sorry? Who?
'I'll ask again, m'aam. Why did you not fill in the visa waiver online?' (surprised) I, er, what? Do you mean this green form here?
'No. Are you travelling alone?' No, I'm with my boyfriend.
'Where is he?' He's already through, and standing over there (points)
'Call him over please.' Er, alright... (wave to Mike to bring him over)
'So you didn't fill in the ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorization?' There were some details my partner filled in on the BA website, do you mean that? But that's just the usual passport stuff, I don't think that's what you mean...
'M'aam, your partner is not permitted to fill in anything on your behalf, that is a clear violation of US immigration law. Remain here please.' (she goes off and speak to another booth operator)
Mike: 'What's going on?' Me: 'I'm not sure, but I don't think I'm going to be let in, for some reason.' Mike: 'Shit.' (lady comes back)
'M'aam, the US operates since the 12th January 2009 an online visa waiver application system that you have clearly not filled in.' (I'm beginning to panic a litle now, the motion sickness not helping)
'Under these circumstances...' (oh god no, it's my fucking birthday, for fuck's sake)
'...we have decided to allow you to enter the US regardless, as we are currently not sure how this system is being advertised outside the US since its implication (yup, I'm pretty sure that's the word she used. I blame Bush). It has nothing to do with immigration, and yet comes under our banner though we are not the implimentors, so we have no way to track it's awareness globally. Next time you wish to enter the US, please fill in the form online. You can go now.'
I've missed out the bit with her freaking out over my hat being on her desk. Mike also later pointed out you can't break US law from the UK, and that she said that to scare me. Which worked.

So immigration finally sorted. We go to pick up our bags. Mike makes a passing 'hilarious' comment about customs and their rubber gloves. So of course we get stopped. Guy asks to see our passport whilst we open our bags for him, and whilst doing so asks the purpose of our visit. I say, slightly miffed but trying to stay cheerful, 'it's my 30th birthday tomorrow, and today ain't my day - immigration were funny with me too. My face must have suddenly gotten ragged and suspicious'. He looks at my passport and sees I'm not lying, and bless him, his search of our bags suddenly becomes very cursory and brief, and with not some small amount of embrassment. He apologises and says he hopes we have a good time in Boston.

We get the T to the hotel, dump bags and shower, then head out for a brief wander before going to Dick's Last Resort to cheer Mike up. He has ribs, I have a bucket of king crab claws and herby melted butter, which is nom (if very painful to get into - those spikey legs are sharp).