>>Rav what happened with the passport?
I cancelled my last day of biz meetings got up at 4AM for the 4 hour train ride and went to the US Embassy in Copenhagen. There were two guys outside and when you walk up - one of them minds the door and the other asks what you're up to. Then there's a pause while some guy inside runs some face recognition software (the windows are one-way - the outside looks black. Once inside there's a super-sensitive metal detector that picks up your dental fillings and you turn in your cell phone, etc. Then I went to the next door and was staring at a few doors and windows and no signs. I walked up to a random door and I hear a loud authoritative "Can I help you?" There was a marine behind a glass window and he looked mean. He directed me to a door I hadn't seen (with a sign on it) and then continued to look mean.
Then I ran into some really nice people. It was no trouble at all to get a temporary passport. They said it would take about an hour and directed me to a coffee house down the street (which I did - I walked past the other embassies - with no apparant security at all (Switzerland had the door open - looked like you could walk in) but - I had to go through that security again when I got back)....and I got back to the airport in time to make an early flight home. THe only trouble I had was in the train on the way back. The conductor didn't speak English and was staring at my ticket and saying something in Danish. I swear he was saying "No Freepers allowed in Copenhagen" - but he eventually shook his head and went on his way. At the airport, the SAS ticket lady told me there are gangs that roam the railways and airports looking for targets - she sees them in the airport all the time. It was whispered that they are the immigrants from the former Eastern block countries and the muslims!!!
But - all is well. I need to get a real passport now.
LOL