My mother asked that I send her a letter from China. She does not “do” the Internet. So yesterday, I wrote my parents a letter, and selected an envelope supplied by the hotel, so that it would have interesting characters on it, to add to the exotic feel.
Popped the letter into the envelope, and discovered that there is no adhesive on the flap. Hmmmm, not sure what to do, but since I am going to ask the concierge about how to get a stamp, I will ask him about that.
Asked how mail the letter, and am sent from person to person within the hotel. The business center will fedex it, but the goal here is to have an exotic stamp from an exotic locale. Eventually I find someone who tries to help me. He calls the postal service to get the cost of mailing it. It’s 10 yuan (about $1.50). What a deal
While he is getting this information, his assistant gets out a small jar of clear glue, carefully applies a neat line, and seals the envelope for me.
I pay the 10 yuan, and he explains that when the postman comes at 1 in the afternoon, he will purchase the stamp, affix it and mail it.
It’s amazing how little things can be so much fun to explore.
