Heeello.

It's been a long time since I've posted. Mainly because proxies have been blocked like crazy and because I've been really busy with my visa.

So first things first, my visa. When I was in Shanghai, the hostel told me that I would need to go to the visa office the next day and register for residence in China. So, Shuai and I got up early and headed to the visa office. I grabbed a number and waited for a couple hours, and finally got to the counter. Shuai wasn't with me, so I was left to talk to the man alone. From the conversation, I deduced that I could not in fact register for residence in Shanghai because I will be studying in Harbin. Well, it was currently 3PM and I was not in the mood to be told I had to travel to Harbin, especially since I needed to be there by the next day.

Nevertheless, with the amazing help of Shane Nunn, I was able to get a plane ticket for that evening. The plane was for 9:10PM, and I was running close at 8:30 arriving at the airport. Luckily, I made it through in time to wait until 9:40 to board, and until 11:00PM to take flight. I arrived at Wentian's apartment at 2:30AM. Quite fun.

The next day we went to the university and with the help of Peggy, we were able to get to the visa office in Harbin that morning. We gave them my passport, temporary visa, and everything else, and they told us to go the next Monday to get a checkup at the doctor. After that I would be clear to go.

So Monday I arrive at the doctor's bright and early. I've been told that all I need is my passport number and I will be good to go. Well, we get up to the window with everything ready, and they tell me that I at least need a copy of my passport to be able to get the exam (the visa office for some reason kept my passport and all my documents).

So Tuesday, I again arrive at the doctor's bright and early. And I get to the window with copies of every document I have and they tell me that, no, I need my real passport or I cannot do this. So, I had to go to the visa office and get my passport back, and question why they had kept it in the first place.

Either way, tomorrow will be a good day because I will go to the doctor and get my checkup. Then I wait a while, and I will finally have my visa. Right now, I have to go with Ning to the train station to pick up Shuai, so I will post again soon with more of my experiences in Yiwu (still haven't been in Shanghai meeting with businesses because of the visa ordeal).