VISA VICTORY

  

THIS WILL BE EASY!

DING DONG DELIVERY...

Ping’s   paperwork perplexed his pals. It took time and teamwork to travel. First there were hurdles on the American side, then more on the Chinese side – too numerous to mention them all. A particularly high hurdle was the expired Teacher’s Certificate that was acceptable, then it was not and then it was again, and has now been approved. A new passport was in order and finally, the Letter of Invitation from China and a Work Permit needed to arrive in America before any Visa would be processed. All of this took over a month.

YOU COME BACK! 

The Chinese Embassy website and others, in the 'know' stated that for an extra fee one could arrive at their office early in the morning and pick up a Visa later that same  afternoon.  
To quote: “Same-day rush service: Visas can be obtained on the same day. (Visas will be granted in the afternoon of the same day if applications are made by 12:00 P.M.)” 
Well, not the day Ping popped in!

NOT AVAILABLE TODAY!

A day off from work was arranged on Friday and plans to meet our friend Betsy for lunch were made. We decided to drive into town around 9:15 AM (See how worldly Ping is getting already?) and saw some monuments on the way. Once at the Visa Office Window we were processed and told to “Come back Wednesday.” Huh? Ping inquired about the box checked on the Visa Application for Same-Day Rush Service. “Not available today, you come back Wednesday,” the Chinese lady in the mouth mask mumbled. Perhaps Ping picked up wrong. So, he inquired again about the website and paperwork’s information, since he was willing – OK suffering – to pay the extra fee. “Not available today. You come back Wednesday!” he was told again from the lady avoiding germs. Dumbfounded, he stood there, feeling like, well, a duck out of water. “Not available today,” rang in his yellow pinhole ears. The masked lady recognized a duck in distress and emphatically stressed, “YOU come back Wednesday!” And that is what Ping now planned to do.

NEPHEW DUNCAN RHYS

Very down in the bill, he went outside to process the information. A phone call was made to his friend Betsy and he whined to her about his morning, how he had paid for a full day of parking and how
there was really no need to have lunch and wait around for the office to process the now, come-back-Wednesday-paperwork. Nephew, Rhys, would have been able to come to lunch, too. Bummer. So, Ping proceeded back to his pad.

Wednesday came and this time street parking was in order. True to her masked word, the Visa was ready and it only took minutes to pick it up. Yay! A celebratory bagel and coffee was in order!

PING CAPS COFFEE & BAGLE WITH EDDY

Next, Ping heads home to pack!




Posted by EddyTour-In-Chief: Doug