I got so cross today that I thought to myself, "Surely no Christian could get this angry! I must be a ??"
I took time from work I can precious afford to go and get China visas for our family.
Where are we going? You eagerly inquire. Another post for another day.
Let me tell you though that although China claims to love Hong Kong and Canada, they were certainly pulling out all the stops to prevent me from getting the aforementioned visas. Frigging no wonder we love it in the Philippines.
So I started my experience by standing outside for 95 minutes. I got to the visa office at 12.10 and they were closed for lunch. Okay, I don't mind a 45 minute wait....I was the fourth person in line! And then the line grew slowly. "this won't be so bad, " I convinced myself, "Get there early and wait for a bit and you're good to go!"
At 1.10 I was a bit concerned. The Chinese are known for their promptness...so um, why wasn't the door being opened? Then I saw the sign that said lunch was from 12-2pm. Nice life if you can get it!
So I was grateful for my sensible shoes and kept in line.
As it grew longer, the typical stuff happened, people got cross with each other, someone didn't understand that Chinese Nationals have different line than everyone else and started shouting at others...I was pretty mellow, answering emails and composing a letter or two.
But then the doors opened and the snaking queue began moving forward. I was still fourth..but when I got to the 3/f, I was told that I hadn't photocopied the correct pages. This was news to me. I was quite certain I had, but no, since three people in my party (PARTY? MY FAMILY IS NOT A PARTY, THEY ARE AN ARGUMENT) had never applied for Chinese visas before I needed to have everything in order and that included more photocopying. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
So, I went to get change and then I went to stand in line for the photocopier. It did not run out of paper or ink, which impressed and surprised me, actually.
Then I got my number and sat down and waited. Composed three more thank you letters in that time!
And then, I got to the counter and was told there would be no processing of the visas today because I did not have a copy of my itinerary. I tried to explain that in our environmental world, we do e-checkins and don't print a great deal of stuff. "That is too bad" she said, "We need proof of flight for all six of you."
Oh give me patience. Seriously?
So eventually I left after she accused me of throwing a passport at her.
How can you throw a passport when it is one of those metal passunder things and we are separated by a perspex wall?
But these are just little details. I did not get the visas and sadly, need to go back tomorrow.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Should I go early and be there when they open OR should I slouch in later in the day?