Red tape & Blue ribbon

For someone that has traveled a bit, it comes as no surprise that somewhere along the journey there are always some bureaucracy. Yip, imagine if you will... some Red tape. Now, this is not the kind of red tape that you cut with the opening of a new store. No, rather this is that kind of red tape that closes the shop. The Health inspector isn't too happy, so they lock all the doors and put some red tape up so that people can't enter. It is almost like a murder scene, the only difference is the colour of the tape. So, like i said it comes as no surprise that i am facing some... Red tape! The kind that locks the doors. The problem comes when you realise that you are standing outside where it is -13c.

One thing that i have learned through all my travels and organising visas, permits, etc. is that there is always a back door. Yip, not an illegal way, just another option!! This option usually takes a bit more time to reveal its true colours, but i assure you it is there. It is like this great big gift under your Christmas tree. You can't wait to open it, but you know that you need to wait till midnight. This is where i find myself at the moment. I can see the gift, it is enormous and has some colourful paper wrapped around it with some Blue ribbon keeping it all together. If only i could open it now. If only i could rip off the Blue ribbon and discover the gift inside. If only i could see what is hidden underneath all the Blue ribbon. But no, you have to wait until midnight!!!

I see this package as a "package of Hope". Underneath the Blue ribbon lies the answer, the other option, or the back door if you will. The package comes in strange forms and sizes. Sometimes it comes in the form of a misread document, other times it comes in the form of a sweet old lady(This time i call her Director). The latter is the form that the package is currently coming in. A sweet old lady with the right contacts! All i can do now is to hang around, wait for midnight, and see what is underneath the Blue ribbon. Hopefully this old lady has some good magic up her sleeve. She might just pull the rabbit out of the hat!

Would you like to know what i found underneath the Blue ribbon? Well, sorry but you will have to wait until midnight!!

If you didn't understand anything i wrote, speak to my secretary!!

(Linfen, Shanxi Province, China)