11th August

We had no more success. Today was possibly one of the worst of my life, and certainly my worst day since I have been in India. We spent 8 hours in a queue.

We got to the FRRO at 9.30 for it opening, and we only managed to wind our way up the massive outer queue to get a form to fill in and then be allocated a number and a counter desk, which would designate our new place in a new queue. We managed to get the number at about half eleven. But by the time the men were going on lunch break at half one, we knew we were in for the long haul. This mad English man and his poor family who were all trying to re-register didn’t help it. They all had the green swine flu masks on, and the little girls looked like tortured souls in the making. They were wearing Indian dress as well, and the parents looked old. Not a combination I feel for these little girls’ stability of mind. I hope they don’t turn out as mad as their father.

When we finally got to the front of our queue, they told Amanda and Lauren that they needed to pay a fine, and that they had been in the country for more than two weeks. However, they had arrived two weeks ago today, so that is technically inclusive in the two week time limit. Or so we thought. When they tried to explain why they were supposedly a day late, the men just pointed to calendars and counted the days for us. It was so incredibly patronizing. We knew what day it was! So bloody typical of male officials in this place. As soon as you complain they treat you as if you are dumb monkey. In the end Amanda and Lauren decided to just pay it so we could leave (it then being 6 pm) and go home to the hostel. I have never felt so dispirited and annoyed in all my life. 

We had to stop in Coffee Day on the way home (there is one in Rajiv Chowk! Amazing!) in order to recuperate. When we finally came back to the hostel, we all so exhausted. We just ate and went straight to sleep. It was so completely horrific. I have never had to do anything like that in my life. The horrible little crowded room, the mountains of untouched and unnecessary paper, the poor children dragged along by their weary parents…you wonder what the point of it all is.