Ottowa - US Embassy

The back of the US embassy

So, despite ringing and checking details about the interview several times, we missed being told (and missed the obscure reference on the website) about not bringing the following items into the embassy building:
mobile phones, cameras, water bottles, food, backpacks, and electronic car keys
We arrived 40 mins early for our interview, then had to repack and I ran back to the hotel to deposit the backpack with the prohibited items. We were allowed one bag for the children (spare pants), and one bag of chopped apple.
In security screening, our lip balms got taken and put in a little container for us to collect on the way out. I also saw people having to leave behind their wrist watches, headphones, and keys (normal keys), so nervous times.
However if you have a baby, you get the entire pram, nappy bag, waterbottles for the small (smaller than ours) children (after they have taken out the wipes, nappy cream, and anything remotely useful for changing nappies).
And because this is Canada in March, you got to keep and lug around your heavy winter coats and gloves, after putting them through the xray machine.
It is a funny application of science and also dealing with people - they know the materials that could be looking innocent but are dangerous, but they also have to acknowledge that 99% of the population are just normal people wanting to get their Visa's renewed.