Well, it seems that I’m fated to have one disaster per day (at least) while on holiday. Today was no exception. After a nice hawker center meal with my host, I set out on the 105 bus to return to the Chinese consulate to get my passport. Waited in a queue (natch) until the gate opened and we streamed through. Paid my Sg$85, and queued to pick up my passport. The lady behind the counter ruffled through the passports in several trays, took the slip into another room (unseen by us), then returned after about 10 minutes. Those behind me were saying things like, “What’s going on?” and blaming me for the holdup.
The lady returned, said, “Sit over there” and resumed handing out everyone else’s passport. I was very upset and nervous. There is nothing worse than having to replace your passport while on holiday.
Oh, and you! Yes, you over there, the guy with the funny T-shirt and the Australian accent, who passed me sitting waiting on your way up to get your passport. You weren’t very helpful when you smirked and said, “They lost your passport, huh?” I muttered, “Hopefully not” but was imagining you getting caught with contraband on your way into China and sentenced to 50 years’ hard labour with an Ah Beng roommate with a huge member, a long sentence, and raging hormones.
Finally, after waiting for 40 minutes, and seeing everyone get their passports, the lady triumphantly pulled my passport out of the tray. She said, “Sorry, sorry,” and I said “Mei guanxi” (no problem), but didn’t mean it. Had a hard time calming myself down.
Went to town and met HWMBO, who helped me calm down. Did a bit of shopping, then met our host, our friend Leslie, and another friend Edwin for dinner. Then, oddly enough, we were invited to a gala showing of the new Fantastic Four movie. Not something I’d pay good money for but the price was therefore right. A freebie bag, a can of Coke (which I couldn’t drink, of course) at every seat, a bin of caramel popcorn (ditto not eating, though I sneaked a few kernels), and posters, notebooks, and the like. HWMBO has a friend with some young children who will probably adore the freebies, so we took our seats and went through about 1-3/4 hours of movie. Kids will love it. Adults, well, only if they have kids or are regressing. One shirtless scene by the guy who played the fiery gent. SFX were, well, special.
Home and to bed, right now!
Cor, what a palaver. Sleep tight.
Had no idea there was a new F4 movie…little do I follow these things. I’m surprised there hasn’t been more hype here, but I’m sure I’ll start hearing more when, according to IMDB, it opens here Friday. Glad the FX are S. That and Jessica Alba are the only reasons I’d watch a movie like that.
hur… u r in singapore ar?
yes i am, until friday, then shanghai for 5 days, then back on 19th until the 26th. handphone number is 9161 2414 if you’d like to have dinner or a drink.
So what was the problem with the passport? I didn’t get it
I had left it there the day before to get the visa applied to it. They couldn’t find it the next day. I would have had to get a new passport quickly, which is expensive and annoying to have to do whilst on holiday. If they had lost it I would have been seriously upset and my trip would have been terribly complicated.
Well Thank God they found your passport. You don’t need anymore stress to raise your blood pressure. Enjoy the rest of your stay–I’m fascinated by your posts. I’m learning a little history which is good.
in singapore, we aim for world class service… so, if the wait is very long, the folks behind you have been helped before you, or nobody seems to be doing much for you, you can approach them and ask for the status..
Fantastic 4 season 1 was much better… season 2 has nothing much… much better, including the scenes whereby Touch was… burnt hahhaa
Remember, this was the Chinese embassy, so more than likely the people who were waiting on us were Chinese nationals, rather than Singaporeans (this is not certain, but highly likely). They had no incentive to do anything for me until they’d cleared up the other passports and given them all out.
The critics thought that the second movie was not very good. I’d agree.