Spent yesterday getting my visa for China. Was there when the consulate opened at 9:00 AM. Already a line outside, everyone with umbrellas because it was drizzing rain. Took me about an hour and a half of inching forward in line to get up to Window 3 and turn in my papers. Had indicated that I wanted "expedited" processing, so was told to come back at 2:00 PM to pick up my visa.
Walked down the street and got a cup of black tea at Starbucks. And read my book [NOTE: Hakuin's Precious Mirror Cave, edited and translated by Norman Waddell]. And shot some video of the flow of humanity outside. Walked back to the consulate at 1:00, got back in line again for an hour, and now I have a new F Visa for China in my passport. Probably had the same look on my face when I came out as the women in the picture. I leave next Thursday for Beijing.