OK, I said I wouldn't complain again but...yesterday afternoon was probably the most frustrating day I have had in a LONG TIME!
We arrived in Xian shortly after 2:00 to a five star hotel in the center of the tourist district; upscale with beautiful rooms and great Wifi. We were a bit uncomfortable parking our muddy truck in front and lugging in backpacks. We looked a bit out of place-ha-ha!
With the afternoon free it was time for me to get my visa extended. My current one expires in six days-I need a 12 day extension. My research and confirmation told me it would be a 20 minute process at the local public service office. It was also a good time to mail that big box of stuff home and there was a China Post a few blocks away.
Our guide insisted on going with me even though I was confident I could get it done alone. He also insisted that the Chinese postal service was totally unreliable-Lonely Planet says they are fine. I insisted so he got a cab and we headed out. He had to ask directions twice (there's a post office just about every three blocks).
We arrived at China Express Postal and Logistics. He insisted this was the national postal service. They weighed, repackaged and quoted me $500! By this point I was fit to be tied. I picked up the 50 lbs box and walked into the street.
One block down was a China Post station. We went in, he started to talk and I interrupted. Using sign language and a few Chinese words I learned that yes I could mail the package but that I would need to go to a nearby substation a few blocks away. He gave me directions in Chinese which I clearly understood.
Once on the street Tao insisted that we needed to go to the passport office first. I said we needed to go to the PBS. We disagreed. We stopped several cabs but none would give us a ride. By 4:30 we had waited almost 45 minutes and could not get a cab. I told him that it was too late-he insisted the visa office was open until 6pm.
I picked up the box once again and said I was going to the post office with or without him and started walking. At the next corner he said to turn right. I told him it was two more blocks. He made some comment about when did I learn to speak Chinese and walked off. I relented carrying the huge and heavy box. Two blocks in the wrong direction we were lost once again. I stopped a policeman and asked for help. He confirmed that I was originally right. We arrived at the postal location ten minutes after they had closed!
A few telephone calls later we learned that the visa office closed at 4:30! The PBS was still open but on the other side of town. It took another 30 minutes and a 100 yuan bribe to get a cab back to the hotel.
I've learned two things. First, I'm trusting my instincts and Chinese language skills in the future. Second, I'll get this stuff done on my own. Lastly, I'm gonna kill this idiot the first chance I get!
Whew! Glad I got all that off my chest!
