The first time I got my US visa was just after engineering college. I got a student visa (F1). Within a few days, I was diagnosed with kidney disease and couldn't go. After many years, I applied for a work visa (L1). The case went into Administrative Processing and I was granted the visa after about two months. I however did not end up going because the company needed me here.

Cut to last year. I decided to go on a cruise with my friends. I applied for my US visa again, this time a tourist visa. The interview went well. But drat! Again Administrative Processing. This time it took a full four months before I was granted the visa!

Next, the Canadian visa. The cruise starts from Vancouver, Canada. So, I needed a Canadian visa. Now for someone who has a US visa, a Canadian visa is usually a breeze. But no, my visa was refused. I applied again. Refused again!

By this time, I remembered a good friend, Srinivas Palepu's words, "Don't fight nature too hard!" Was the universe telling me not to go to the US/Canada?

I had almost decided but my friends convinced me to re-apply which I eventually did. Finally I got the Canadian visa. I am scheduled to leave for the trip on 12th of July.

So, what is the truth? Should you take heed of such 'signs' from nature or the Universe and take the hint? Or is this all baloney? I fought and got the visa in the end, you see?

I don't know, really!