US Immigration, June 18, 2015 Thursday 7 pm
The wait at the US Immigration was very long. It was a good hour. Aside from several flights arriving one after the other, the process was slower. Maybe the officers were stricter due to security reasons. One hour was okay except that coming from a 12 hour flight, plus the waiting at the NAIA lounge, groge na talaga ako. I just wanted to stretch on a comfortable mattress and sleep.
There were two questions that the immigration officer asked us, “how long are you staying?” and “how much cash do you have?”
Just a little bit of information for first time travelers to the US. Their law says it is LEGAL to bring any amount to the US but you have to declare it. US$10,000 and above must be declared. The $10,000 limit is PER FAMILY , not per PERSON. If you are bringing a yaya, her money is included in the computation. Of course, be ready to answer where you got your money in case you want to transport one paper bag of cash. Do not hide your cash inside your bra, panty. That’s stupid. I am not trying to be funny. Some people do that. Negotiable instruments must also be declared. Mainam pa google their website for a detailed and more accurate information.
Because I brought spicy peanuts with fried garlic, crispy ukoy, and tamarind candies, I declared it on the customs form. Ayun, we had to bring our luggage to the scanner for checking if we have tocino, langgonisa, chicharon. We had none of those so they no longer opened our luggage. That would be the last time I would bring food pasalubong. Sobrang Hassle.
My sister was already wondering what happened to us. I couldn’t respond to her texts. As soon as we entered the immigration area, I lost my cellphone signal. As soon as we got out of the room, abah meron na agad akong 4G.
Paglabas namin, nasalubong na namin si Ayleen. Bulaga.
Mukha na akong gulatay sa pagod. I felt like floating.
