Visiting the U.S. consulate in Frankfurt

Just in case anyone out there is as "green" as I am:

Monday I had to go the the Consulate in Frankfurt to get an emergency passport for my dd. The passport office on the US military base in Hanau had checked my paperwork, and had called ahead for the person's name I needed and "customer number" (that wasn't what they called it). So, I felt prepared. Having planned on arriving at 8 AM, with my teen in tow, my arrival was more like 8:45. (You try rushing her.) I actually thought at first there was an ongoing demonstration, there was such a crowd of people, but driving closer I saw they were in line! I wish I'd known: there is no parking, apparently. The main street, and all neighboring streets were lined with cars. I found a spot approximately 1.5 miles away, not too bad, I thought then. I wish I'd known which line to get in, as there were two. Of course I asked, but chose the wrong line, as I already had a "customer number" (what was that number for, anyway?) I wish I'd have known that iPods and cell phones are not allowed in the building, and that there is no place to leave them outside. Back to the car, and back again, I'm up to 4.5 miles now (well, it wasn't raining at least.) I wish I'd have known to wear my athletic shoes. I wish I'd known that there is a photo booth inside the building that only costs 6 Euros, compared to the 15 I paid in town.

Now, I know!

Usually it helps reading the instructions given on the Consulate's website. Everything about electronic devices and security procedures which should be observed is written there. I had never set a foot on Frankfurt before, read through the website, took a train, took the s-bahn, went in, went out, had a visa. Everything in about two hours without any single problem.

That link is broken now. Here's a newer one:

http://germany.usembassy.gov/acs/frankfurtacs.html

I just had a problem with Munich's consulate not having security info on their website -- no phones, no battery-powered bicycle lights, no bicycle helmets. Now it's on the site, listed on several pages that were changed today.

http://germany.usembassy.gov/security_notice_for_consular_customers.pdf

I wonder how long that link will be good for...