There’s something bizarre about modern Visa paperwork requiring hard copies of files and the physicals presence of a person. in every country on Earth, there’s profound reluctance to make life easier in the bureaucratic sector.” – Old Sean
Capital Folly
When it comes to planning stuff, my company is typically Chinese. And by that, I mean they’re terrible with general communication. I was blindsided on Friday with a sudden trip to Beijing to finalize my housing and residency permit.
It… did not go well.
My company input my passport information incorrectly, using a defunct passport from two years ago (the poor thing filled up like 18 months after I got it). I ended up at the airport two hours early in a gradually increasing state of panic, until by some series of accommodating miracles, I gasped towards my gate six minutes before closing.
In Beijing, I had fourteen hours, from eight AM to ten PM to handle this last step of my Chinese Visa.
It took forty five minutes, after which I was given plenty of time to do pretty much nothing.
Old Haunts
Fortunately, I had plenty I wanted to do.
I ended up wandering to my favorite mall, Parkview Green Mall, a neo-modernistic structure that appears as a pyramid from one side. Once inside, I wandered the numerous internal walkways that laced the structure. Odd, obscure and mildly-disturbing art decorates the so-called shopping center. I took a few pictures before heading to speak with my boss at head office in Dongshikou.
I had a brief meeting in Dongshikou before work called my coworkers back to their respective tasks. It felt strange to be visiting, like finding mementos left in storage for some time.
Afterwards, I went to get a meal at my favorite coffee chain in China, Maan’s Coffee. While their coffee is fairly mid-level, I love their ambiance. Crystals hang from artful, dead braches like miniature chandeliers, everything is crafted from rough-hewn wood and the chairs are plush and comfortable for extended lounging and paperwork.
I intended to spend the rest of the day there, but an old coworker named Mark texted me out of the blue, inviting me to his current residence in the 798 Art District.
789
798 is extremely cool. It’s a refurbished series of factories-turned-expressionist art museum.
The downside is that 798 is close to nothing and even taking the metro is a bit of a slog.
When I finally got there, Mark and I caught up over inordinate amounts of tea and chatted a bit about current Chinese politics (which I generally shy away from with local Chinese people, for obvious reasons.)
Finally, it was time to return to Hohhot. I gathered my single backpack and wandered back to the airport, where I mercifully made good time.
When all was done, I finally returning to an empty, blissfully clean apartment. The smell of cleaning sanitizer had dissipated from my rooms and I began to snooze on my terribly uncomfortable bed, half dreaming of the comforter I planned on buying with my next paycheck.
I’m too low on funds at the moment to go exploring, though I’m eating well every night and work is starting this Tuesday again in earnest.
Until payday, then.
Best regards and excellent trails,
Old Sean
P.S. Bleeding construction projects are the bane of human decency and I’m sure a direct cause of summer depression. They’ve been running a jackhammer at the apartment next door since 8 AM for the third day in a row.
Written August 23rd 2019
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Ten years ago, I abandoned my military surplus store backpack for a Farpoint 40 Osprey Travel Pack. I’ve never replaced my bag since. The backpack has been with me around the world, through my departing Beijing and onwards through trips across Europe and South America. I have nothing but praise for Osprey Products.
