A collection of work observations:

[fancycwabs]

Today's my first day back at work after taking a couple of birthday-related days off, shortly after I arrive I get a badge to get into the World Headquarters of $BIG_CUSTOMER (considering the city I reside in, the identity of $BIG_CUSTOMER wouldn't be too hard to deduce). So now I don't have to fork over identification and business cards to get into $BIG_CUSTOMER facilities all over the world.

Also, a donation form for $BIG_CHARITY. You know, I don't mind giving to charity. A pretty substatial portion of my income goes to charity, as a matter of fact. None goes to $BIG_CHARITY, which takes their cut and then gives to $SMALLER_CHARITIES. Apparently in a city where I don't reside. I guess they get more money going through the charity mafia for protection than trying to go it alone, but still.

And just a few moments ago, my passport landed back on my desk with a shiny new sticker inside.


Is it ironic that a visa to enter China has a picture of the object designed to keep people out of China on it?

Comments

[grendelyn.livejournal.com]

I once very nearly got tossed out of China. So no, I don't think so at all. Consider it a warning...

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

Ooo...that sounds like something for which salacious details would be necessary!

[grendelyn.livejournal.com]

The embassy in Warsaw gave me a dodgy stamped in visa all in chinese that apparently (so say the border guards in Beijing) expired on the very day I arrived.

They separated me from my friend, detained me for hours, and threatened to deport me to Uzbekistan (where I'd come from. Not randomly. Though that would be way cool.)

Eventually after a lot of crying and cowtowing they 'allowed' me to pay a fine -- mysteriously the fine amount was EXACTLY the amount of $ they had found on me. Amazing that.

After that, I felt like I was being watched the whole time I was there. Boy was I glad to get to Mongolia the next week.

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

Hopefully, the Hong Kong-Guangzhou entry point will be less dodgy, being a slightly more public area. It'll also probably help that I'm with a group of wily businessmen and attending a meeting with pseudogovernmental officials.

[grendelyn.livejournal.com]

Not more public than the Beijing airport, but I'm sure you'll be fine. You are older and wiser than I was then, I'm sure.