The US Consolate - Touching base on American Soil

The US Consulate General was the task at hand today.  Richard picked us up at 7:45 this morning and off we went.  When we got there we moved past the sea of Chinese nationals trying to get all sorts of visa’s from working to tourist.  Myriam said a lot are immigration visas because one spouse has gotten there visa and is living in the states and now they are trying to get the spouse or other family member over.  Either way we moved to the US citizens line and were being helped in no time.  We went inside showed them our documents answered a few questions and Chelsea’s visa will be ready tomorrow for pick up.  Chelsea will be an American citizen as soon as the wheels touch down in Seattle.  Only Myriam, Michael and Sophie went the rest were left sleeping.  When we returned they had managed breakfast and were waiting for the marching orders for the day.

Shopping was the directive for those interested.  Michael Nolan and Chase bowed out.  Michael’s cortisone shot has reached its 10 day limit and his knee is getting sore.  He decided to stay home and rest it.  Nolan and Chase opted for some down time (and a Starbucks run a few hours later.)  Ron left with the ladies to go shop.  Brave man, we are going to miss him. 5 hours later the group emerged with all kinds of things that say “made in China.”  People mistake him for the living Buddha.  They make remarks about his beard with thumbs up then rub or pat his belly and move on.  I am sure he had local help to survive a 5 hour haggle session or maybe there is some divinity there that we Americans do not see.  Saint Ron?

We had a little more downtime then off to dinner.  There was a local bar around the corner with an Irish theme. We had heard good and bad reviews but we figured average to poor American style food or very good noodles…again.  If you come to China I highly recommend dice or a magic 8 ball to make meal decisions.  The food was good and the company was better.  We met more American families at the consulate so our group has swelled to 15.  Good conversations, good food and some really good dark beer and the conversation turned to having a final toast with an “Irish Car Bomb”.  Once everyone knew what was in it and what the rules were we decided we were not 23 anymore and we all went home. 

Tomorrow we get the visa for Chelsea and wrap up the final day in Guangzhou and depart tomorrow night to Beijing again.  It was be a little tough leaving here.  We have been staying in a palatial 3 bedroom apartment in the Hilton.  The hotel is a 5 star on any scale.  Very upscale, very nice.  It is an oasis of calmness in a sea of chaos.  We must move forward and finish the last leg in Beijing before the tail trip home.  We will speak again from “the wall.”