A Day at the Consulate

I went to the Consulate four times today. I’m sure this sounds excessive. That, is because it was. The first time was 100% my fault, the second time was pickiness on theirs, the third was some really serious pickiness on their part, and by the fourth, I was exhausted. The Consulate was just about as sterile as a hospital. The white marble walls and floor certainly didn’t help. My day consisted of a ton of bouncing between the Consulate and the nearest FedEx print shop. Apart from a wonderful cup of coffee and a delicious cherry that one of the Chinese students in my group project gave to me, my day was boring. Our group project came together beautifully; Jean and I both feel good about how it came together. Although I am excited to get to spend more time with the Chinese students, I’m staying with them at Pace University until I leave Thursday, I am disappointed that my American colleagues get to jet off to Beijing so soon. That said, I know I did as much as I could to get my passport renewed and get a visa in time so I shouldn’t beat myself up. It’ll be great to spend more time with the Chinese students, especially since it’s just starting to feel like we’re getting to know each other what with our time in the same city being so short. Hopefully future scholars will get to spend more time together than we did. I hope tomorrow will be more interesting than today, but I’m sure it will be what with another action packed day in the City!