Pasaport kontrolünde

Arrivals! Finally. I follow the signs to passport control. A really long line. I hold my passport tight, like a baby.

At the booth, the officer says, "Visa?" "Yes, here you go." Stamp! Easy. Then customs. I walk by super slowly. I've got nothing to hide, but I feel guilty. Why?

Officer: What's the purpose of your visit? Me: I'm here on business. No, wait. I'm here on vacation. No, business. Sorry, both!

Officer: Anything to declare? Me: Nothing to declare. Well, one big box of Turkish delight. Should I declare that? She laughs. I think that's a yes.

How long are you staying? Two weeks. Place your fingers here, please. Fingerprints, left hand. Nothing happens. I press harder.

"Don't press," she says. "Just scan." Then: "Look at the camera." I smile. "Don't smile." Okay. Now I look like a very serious potato. Welcome!

Baggage claim, terminal three. I take a cart and wait at the belt. Round and round go the bags. Not mine. Not mine. A pink dinosaur? Not mine.

At last, my blue suitcase! I collect it. Then I see another blue suitcase. The same! Mine has a yellow ribbon. So does the other one. Two bags, one ribbon, one problem.

Wait behind the yellow line, please. Next, please! Step forward. No, not that far. Back a little. There!

Please fill out this form. Name, address, hotel. I fill out my name, my address and... my hotel? I don't know the name. It's blue. It has a big door. The officer sighs. "Welcome, sir."

Good morning, officer. Yes, it's my first time in the States. I'm going to stay with my cousin in Chicago.

Do I have a return flight? Yes, on the twentieth. Look, it's on my cell phone. Is the screen too small? Sorry. My phone is very old. The officer smiles and says, "Welcome to the United States." I'm in!

I land after eleven hours with the worst jet lag ever. My eyes are open, but my brain is in bed.

"Open your bag, please." "Sure, go ahead." The officer finds ten jars of honey, two cheeses and a very flat teddy bear. "Is this all yours?" "My mom packs for me," I say. She laughs. "Go on through. Welcome."