Four weeks before my intended departure date and it and it all came down to a Monday morning at the Chinese Visa Office.
Those of you that know me will be aware of my rocky relationship with a Monday morning, and so the fact the the past 8 months of planning came down to this particular morning, didn't fill me with confidence.
As I sat, waiting for the visa desks to open, I thought about the consequences of the mornings possible outcomes.
If my visa was rejected, what would I do? No going back to work now, they all know that I'm leaving. Would I go somewhere else? Teach somewhere hot? Thailand? Maybe. But it's China that has me intrigued, China is where I will face the high and lows of a new and completely different culture.
What if I do get my visa? I would be going. I would be leaving London, my friends, my girlfriend. I have a fantastic life here and it has taken me two and a half years to get to where I am. Am I really throwing all of this away for a risky venture in China?
Can I really do this alone?
As I sat thinking, my thoughts were interrupted by a tannoy announcement. 'Number 3007 to desk number five please' As I approached the visa desk, my heart was pounding. Scared that I would and scared that I wouldn't get the visa I needed.
I was asked to pay and informed my visa has been processed successfully.
I'm going.
Sent to desk number four, for the passport and visa collection I was full of mixed emotions. Excitment, much excitment. But sadness, sad to be leaving a girlfriend, friends and family that I love and are used to having close by.
Am I really going?
After a long anxious wait, I stood and stared at my passport and at the new information stamped inside.
I'm going... The China adventure starts here.
As I sat, waiting for the visa desks to open, I thought about the consequences of the mornings possible outcomes.
If my visa was rejected, what would I do? No going back to work now, they all know that I'm leaving. Would I go somewhere else? Teach somewhere hot? Thailand? Maybe. But it's China that has me intrigued, China is where I will face the high and lows of a new and completely different culture.
What if I do get my visa? I would be going. I would be leaving London, my friends, my girlfriend. I have a fantastic life here and it has taken me two and a half years to get to where I am. Am I really throwing all of this away for a risky venture in China?
Can I really do this alone?
As I sat thinking, my thoughts were interrupted by a tannoy announcement. 'Number 3007 to desk number five please' As I approached the visa desk, my heart was pounding. Scared that I would and scared that I wouldn't get the visa I needed.
I was asked to pay and informed my visa has been processed successfully.
I'm going.
Sent to desk number four, for the passport and visa collection I was full of mixed emotions. Excitment, much excitment. But sadness, sad to be leaving a girlfriend, friends and family that I love and are used to having close by.
Am I really going?
After a long anxious wait, I stood and stared at my passport and at the new information stamped inside.
I'm going... The China adventure starts here.
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