Invitation to Interview

Not long after gleaning some small amount of info as to the processing of my visa application from the Pakistani Consulate I had a call back from them (which I missed) inviting me down for an interview to discuss my application.

I shall be present and correct, therefore, on Monday morning to try to a) remember and b) defend my tissue thin web of lies regarding my tour itinerary. Whilst this is both ominous and nerve-wracking on the plus side at least they haven't rejected me outright...yet.

If (when?) they do reject my application then things change considerably. Not going through Pakistan means not going through China (as the only accessible border crossing for Johnny Foreigner in that part of the world is the Khunerab Pass on the KKH between Pakistan and China. My only option then is to ship the bike and myself from India to Kyrgyzstan -- the Swedish guy I met in Chennai who was turned back at the Chinese border with badly prepared paperwork forked out some $2000 to ship himself and his bike from Bishkek, Kyrgystan to India (or Pakistan, I forget). Cheaper than actually going through China but not as interesting. Arguably, though, differently interesting.

Of course, I could, in a fit of deep depression, simply ship the bike directly from India to the UK and go and get a job. That certainly doesn't sound very interesting. Although the pay is better.