Day 234 (China): Xining V (I’m sorry, my boss has killed the computer)

So, all I had to do today was to pick up my visa. And that should not be a problem really. But you really never know with bureaucrazy. And it is rampant where I have been before and if the whole hotel business is any indication …

I had to wait until the afternoon, the office wouldn’t open up until 2:30pm and so I stayed in bed and tried to rest up. A slightly upset stomach (nothing major) made for an easy decision though. Then, I got to the office and was told to wait. “Please sit down.” The nice official went to the office and took the papers which I assume have been lying around for the last two days and took them to her boss. Then I waited … and waited … and waited. And then some more. What happened over the last couple of days? I really don’t know. I would love to know. But I really don’t. 45 minutes later she comes back and says: “I’m really sorry, but you will have to come back tomorrow. My boss killed the computer, he broke the line.” Ouch. No, I don’t want to wait until tomorrow. I want to leave. “Can I come tomorrow morning at least instead of tomorrow afternoon?” She asks and says yes. Good. Another try: “Can I come back in one hour and see if the computer has regained consciousness?” Wait, no: “”Can I come back in one hour and see if the computer has been fixed?” OK, that is possible also. Then, I was about to leave. She calls after me and says: “It is working again.” Good stuff. I got the visa within 10 minutes and was out and away.

The remainder of the day is quickly told. Planning the next days and figuring what I will do for the flight back. Looks like I will be on Air China. But try to find out what the deal with the bike is on that flight. It took the better part of two hours … and I still only have a shaky answer. But it should be OK after all.

No pictures today … I am having trouble accessing my flickr site. Take a look if you like, interesting people abound.