Shanewilson's travel blogs:
|
|
  | |  |
Frustrated!
Entry 105 of 270 | show all | print this entry |
The May Holiday here in China from the 1st to 7th of May is making my speedy exit from this country basically impossible. I'm really at my witts end and sick of the b.s I'm going through to get out of this country.
The process of getting an emergency and replacement passport is pretty straight forward but my frustration levels are high because both Qantas and the PSB are closed until the 7th - just to make it more interesting. I need the PSB to give me an exit visa. I risk having my air ticket voided completely if I fail to get in touch with Qantas to get it changed. I'll probably end up going out to the airport over the w/end to resolve that problem.
This morning I woke up thinking about resorting to my second plan for the year of returning to and living in my favourite city in the world... Melbourne. It would be such an easier life teaching whenever I wanted and living the cafe lifestyle for the balance of the year... and completely replacing my wardrobe with the exquisite fashion of Melbourne. But deep down I know I would be bitterly disappointed because I desperately want to live and experience Spain, Portugal and South America. I'm sure I just need to keep my head together and go through the process of leaving this country and moving on to the next one!
I'm definitely getting what I paid for at the hostel, but that is the least of my probs. I'm in a 4 bed dorm with 3 other guys who all snore like elephants. But I slept surprisingly well without the ear plugs... I hate those things! I was in bed for about 13 hours can you believe! For $8 a night, I get to have a communal shower with mostly Asians, a 4 bed dorm, a huge entertainment area, and very very helpful staff. The staff here are very friendly and helpful... god bless them!
Anyway, even though this is a very difficult passage of my trip RTW, I'm sure I will get through the b.s. and leave this country with a big smile on my face. Thank you to those people that are helping me get through this mess. For other travellers with passports on them, TREAT THEM LIKE GOLD, for you don't want to have to through the b.s. that I'm currently going through. It lowers your love of travel to an all time low.
UPDATE (4pm):
The Australian Embassy has turned out to be most impressive and I am now in the possession of an emergency passport, valid till December 3... useless in 4 weeks time given that most countries require 6 months validity to approve entry. But the passport took 24 hours to re-issue which was great and the Australian Embassy in the UK assured me that I won't be turned around.
I've sent my passport application off to Pat in Aus who will be my guarantor. Cost 168 yuan for 5 day express post ($28). My birth certificate is on its way as well... thanks mum, let me know what exquisite French perfume you want from Paris!
As one friend said, it's not the process but not knowing the outcome, and possibility of postponing my arrival in London that is probably making me a bit uptight atm. It really is a simple process, but costly, of getting a passport reissued. Oh, and I've since read that the Australian government imposes a sliding scale of fees for replacing lost or stolen passports. The first loss is $57, the second loss is about $150 and the third loss is about $400... so losing my passport within the next 5 years again is not an option!
With most of the business over, apart from a visit to the PSB first thing Monday morning, I'm free to experience this city. I plan on being a tourist for the next 3 days and plan to visit things like the Forbidden City, Tiannanmen Square etc. It will also be good to find a pub, club or two to hang out over the w/end for I'm feeling like I really do need to relax... and meet some locals!!!!!! I don't know one single person here in Beijing and I'm hoping to change that.
|
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries by shanewilson, from China or try a new search. |
| |
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
42 votes 
This is a top pick!
