Visa

To get a holiday visa for China you have to go as part of a tour group or get an invitation from someone in China. Albert provided me with the letter and copies of his passport and ID card. I also have to provide proof of travel insurance, resident status in France, employment, and so on.

As a semi-professional procrastinator, I felt obliged to leave the visa application to the last minute. I'm leaving next Thursday (22 July) and they say on the Chinese embassy website that it takes four working days, so yesterday (15 July) I went to the consulate for my visa. They sent me away because they only accept applications between 9.30 and 12. Another day wasted.

I arrived this morning at just before 9 to see a huge queue outside the closed door of the consulate. When they opened, you had to queue to get a ticket -- I got number 171! So I went for a coffee, then did some shopping, then more coffee, then a read of my China guide book.

When I finally got to the counter and handed in all the paperwork, the woman said "that's fine, come back next Friday." I'm leaving on Thursday, so I asked for the express service. "But you didn't tick the box on the form," says she. "Can I tick it now?" Hesitation, another look at all my paperwork, frown... "Come back on Monday."

Phew! Almost there!