Back in 1990, I spent a fine summer day in Toronto, Canada, waiting in line to get into the American Embassy, to apply for a visa to enter the country. I had no idea that it would take me the entire day, but I remember the sense of freedom I felt when I emerged on the other side of the building seven hours later – and saw a hot dog vendor.

I wasn’t as lucky today, standing two hours in line to the Russian Embassy in Stockholm, trying to get in to apply for a visa to enter that country. I got close to the magic door, with only two people in front of me, when they closed the door for the day. Better luck tomorrow maybe.

It’ll be interesting to see whether they sell hotdogs on the other side of the building.