Hello! I haven't checked the thread for a while. After reading all the messages about the Visa application, I am seriously considering driving down to the consulate in San Francisco and making application. I wish I knew someone who has been to China and completed the application. Frankly, with the trip in less than two months I'm surprised we've heard so little about it, but I've never traveled internationally with
ABD. A while back I proposed us getting together on Google Hangout to chat about the trip. Rather than taking more time to learn about Google Hangout, I am thinking it may be easier if we all just jumped onto Skype. We use it to record the
Disneyland show and Connecting with Walt, and I use it to talk with friends and family domestically and internationally. If I can figure it out, pretty much anyone can. Also, Skype allows us to actually talk with each other rather than typing our conversation which may be more convenient - but troublesome as we will inadvertently step on each other. I have questions about the Visa application, travel insurance for the Tokyo leg of the trip, currency, power converters, packing tips, etc. Pretty much all the things I thought we'd be getting advice on by now.
Would folks like to get together for a Skype call on Sunday, August 20 at 12 noon (PDT)? This should be a fairly convenient time in all time zones. If you don't already have Skype, you can download it and set up an account fairly quickly. Then search for my name. I'll accept the calls as they come in. I'll log on a bit early. If this time isn't convenient for some folks, we'll schedule another time with more advance notice.
Oh, I don't know what Country Kitchen is, but I'm willing to find out if it's not too late to join.
I'm looking forward to chatting with those who join in on Skype this Sunday.