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| Naples, Italy |  Review on March 8, 2008: |
Shannon And Marco
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Well,
finally we got through all the mess of papers and stuff.
Ok, the first thing i had to attend, of course, it was the medical examination.
Prepare yourself to spend almost an entire day to the Varelli Institute, but at the same time it's nice, i had a great time with other applicants and we had a lot of chats 
About the Embassy, what happened it's so: Friday morning at 7:20 AM i was in front of the building, i asked informations to the police and they told me we all had to wait until 8 AM before getting into the building. But at 7:30AM a cop came to me and another man and asked our passports, he took'em inside and after a couple opf minutes he got back with the passports and a ticket number.
Then he told us we had to pass the external fence and get throught the gate and wait outside until 8 AM for them to call us one by one.
It was raining so they let the little kids pass first with they're moms.
I was the number 3 and i got the call pretty early.
Same check as into an airport, everything under the x-rays and if you're clean you can pass. They sent us to the room number 11, it's a simple waiting room and it seems like a common office where you have to sit and wait your number and then you go to the numbered box to talk with the person behind the glass.
For fist, when i got the call (by number), i had to give to the girl all the forms (2 copies DS-156, 1 DS-156K, copy of my birth certificate, pictures 5cm X 5cm, police records (CERTIFICATO CASELLARIO), military records (CERTIFICATO DI CONGEDO), affidavit of support, DS-230 Part I (no one asked for the Part II), BNL receipt for the 131$ payment.
Everything was fine and the girl told me to go sit back again and to wait another call.
Once i got it (by name - pay attention because the speakers aren't working too good), another girl with all my forms in her hands asked me to swear the truth on everything i was gonna say and i said "i swear". She asked me where did i meet my girlfriend and how long we've been together. Then i told her that i had pictures with me and she wanted to see some of those. Just the first 2. the sheets with printed pics were stapled and she just looked and the first 2 on the first page. She told me that the apartment where we'll stay together it's really nice
Anyway, really surprised, she told me to get back to the embassy at 4PM to get my VISA.
I must say that i didn't realize it and... i asked another time if everything was done and... YES IT WAS!
So... everything went smooth and easy! They were really really nice. I have to say that if you're prepared with all the papers, double checked and iper-controlled, it's pretty easy. You must follow the instructions and you'll get what you need, simply. I heard of people with me the same day that they didn't get thei're visa just when they needed to read better the instructions. The fact is, even if you're not allowed to get a visa, you have to pay the procedure anyway. So, by the time that you're paying, try to get what you need at the same time!
some little tips:
B&B: the one i've been it was really nice, it's located in Viale Gramsci 30, 150 meters from the Embassy, it means 3 minutes walk, and 5 minutes walk from the MERGELLINA TRAIN STATION. In this period you still can spend 50 eur a night if you're alone, in a double room for single use. The room has TV, personal bathroom, books if you wanna read. It's quiet, no noises except the car horns, really famous down to Naples, drivers uses horn every second.
The area it's quiet and closer to some really good pizza restaurants.
If you want to get down to Naples with the car, there are car spaces, but they have blue lines, it means that you must pay a quote per hour. Don't think that it's Naples and no one cares if you pay or not: i saw cars taken away from the truck, you better pay.
To eat, you can go to DA PASQUALINO, place of really famous italian characters, even Frank Sinatra. The pizza it's REALLY good and the prices are really honest (a Ham Pizza, a Coke and a Coffee just 9 EUR).
There also you can find the EXCELLENT one at Fratelli LA BUFALA, just cross the circle in front of Pasqualino and you'll find the Restaurant on the corner. Pizza, Coke, no coffee 10 EUR but they deserve them ALL.
If you get down to Naples using the Train, make sure to jump off to NAPOLI MERGELLINA. The B&B as i said it's about 5 mins. Once you get out the train station, look at your right and follow the street. The second street it's Viale Gramsci, the third it's Viale Caracciolo, on the sea and both brings to PIAZZA DELLA REPUBBLICA, where the US EMBASSY is. You can't miss it, you'll see Carabinieri with their trucks in front and around the building.
For 2 days, i found everything in 300 meters. The only bad thing is the Hospital, you better call a taxi. But once you'll get your passport from the embassy, it's easy to go get the first train to get back home, just 7 mins walk.
If you're worried, as i said, just check and check again all the forms and papers. They didn't ask me any love letter, any other proofs, emails, more pics... just 2 questions. And from what i heard by the other applicants, it was the same for them too.
They're really kind, don't expect poisoning animals
I wish the best to everyone, this is a new beginning, me and Shannon, this is our life together..
If you belive it, you want it, you'll make it
All the best!
Marco, Bologna, ITALY
Going down to Naples, from Bologna, it's pretty longer.
I went down to Rome with my car, i have a friend down there and i had the opportunity to keep my car in front of his apartment and pick up a train and get to Naples in 1 hour and 1/2.
Traveling with Eurostar it costs 29 EUR just ONE travel, so if you wanna save some money and travel for the same amount of time, i advice to take a ticket for an INTERCITY at the cost of 19,50 EUR, 9,50 less than Eurostar.
Jump off the train when you reach the NAPOLI MERGELLINA train station, 
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #2575