Ok, so the last two weeks have been even worse for checking things off my list. And in between, I got laid off from my job. UGH!!!!!!
I got my booster hepatitis shot, Japanese encephalitis, and typhoid pills. I am still deciding about malaria pills. I didn’t have such a good experience with the pills when I was in Costa Rica in the early 1990’s. But I have to decide in 3 weeks when I go back for my 2nd shot for Japanese encephalitis. I guess the biggest danger in these parts is dengue fever which is from mosquitos. So I was told if I put on mosquito repellent with deet several times a day it should protect me from malaria too.
I did get my Chinese visa. In San Francisco, the consulate opens at 9:00 am. But as was the case in 2005 when I last got a visa, you should show up an hour early to wait in line. This way, you are around 10th or 15th in line when the door opens and you don’t have to wait once you get inside. Because I had PC World as my employer on my visa form, I was required to get a letter from my office stating that I was a tourist and not doing business there. The media industry and journalists must have a really hard time getting into the country. So I went back later that day with my letter. But this time, I could cut the line. Three days later the visa was ready and I waited outside for an hour, once again. There are definitely people here that must get visas for other people as part of their livelihood. They had ten or more passports and they were in the front of the line both days I was there. I wonder what time they show up to be number one in line?
I am meeting a friend today who has been in these parts and I am excited to hear more details about the places he liked.
This weekend I will finalize the details and travel dates for each country I am visiting. It’s supposed to rain so hopefully I will get a lot done!
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