Travel Diary
My trip to the US begins today! I’ll be a USA tourist for the next few weeks…
I left the house to take the train to the airport. My flight was at 12.10, so I made sure I was there on time with the security checks and all. Luckily I already checked in online which makes it so much easier nowadays, because then you only have to drop your bags to be checked in.
My stop-over was in London Heathrow. This is a busy airport, but I had enough time to go through the security check and have time left to eat lunch. I tried a place called ‘Giraffe’ which was very good. They offered different types of food and the service was friendly! After some browsing around in the airport shops I made my way to the gate. Boarded on to my British Airways flight and was off to Baltimore.
For those of you traveling from Europe to the USA, I already mentioned on my Passport/Visa pages you have to fill out an ESTA form before traveling. BUT you still have to fill out the I-94 form, a green form if you’re traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (white if you have a visa). But the crew on board explains it to you, as well as a video you can watch onboard. It’s similar to the questions on the ESTA form. Name, address, citizenship, where you boarded, flight number,… Besides this form you have to fill out a customs form. That’s for US citizens as well! One form per family is enough though. So, don’t forget to bring a pen with you!
When you arrive in the US, you have to get in line at the US immigration. You will be asked to present your green form together with your passport. They ask you several questions, like the purpose of you visit to the US. How long you’ll stay? Where you’ll stay?… After this, they’ll take your thumb and finger print, and a photograph.
After this I picked up my luggage, took the hotel shuttle and checked in at the hotel. I stayed at the SpringHill Suites BWI by Marriott. My first impression was good. I got a friendly welcome at the reception, as well as a personal note written by the manager! The rooms looked spacious and clean. More on the beds and comfort tomorrow…as well as what a USA tourist does 🙂
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