I made a LOT of progress today. FINALLY I got my visa. Ninety-days! ^__^ I’m going to China, BABY! One week from today almost to the minute I’ll be on a plane flying west. Flying foreword about 28 hours on an almost 12 hour flight, after which I’d set my watch, if I wore a watch, foreword only four hours.
After the relief of getting my visa, I got to spend the day in SF with my dear Longman. Visited St. Mary’s Cathedral (my first time in a Cathedral). It was amazing inside; the ceiling literally challenges my sense of depth and dimension. I was grateful for the opportunity to offer a prayer. Before a journey that will introduce me to so many new people and new ways, it felt proper to take a few minutes and pray for all who would benefit from an infusion of tolerance and faith. Once outside I took some pictures of the amazing outside of the Cathedral (promise to post soon).
Afterwords, took care of some computer stuff. Had an amazing Vietnamese lunch. Met an awesome ex-marine who’s travel experience boggles the mind (and she was so kind to give me a book on East Asian art). Her collection of…things covers most of Asia (and I mean ASIA; West, South, South-East, and East) and North Africa. Found a great shoulder bag to bring with me on my travels on Height St (where I also found an AMAZING Turkish coffee). Preston was kind enough to celebrate my visa with a Lonely Planet for China. Reading through it on the train, I feel much more comfortable about the world I’ll be stepping into. I’ve got placed to stay most of the way, I’ll have a paper guide, to get me around the alien environment, I’ve got traveler’s insurance to see me through any bumps in the road, and I’ve got a fair ability to communicate that will thrive under necessity.
My enthusiasm was bolstered this evening while bowling with the fams. Mid-way through our second game, a trio started on the lane next to us. I correctly guessed that they were Israeli from the way their Hebrew sounded and was introduced to their party, who was in the Bay Area on vacation. Meeting a group of foreigners who so melded into the atmosphere and befriending them gave my already strong faith in our inter-connectedness a timely infusion.
Every thing’s going to be just fine (and even if it isn’t exactly, I’ll have great stories ^_^)