Boy, I am the queen of problem solving anymore. (Or at least I like to think.) Here's a few to make you glad you're staying stateside-

1- A one year Thai Visa costs $175 and requires no less than 10 documents, many of which require documents to get the primary document if you follow my drift. Fingerprints to get FBI clearance form, PA police clearance, child abuse clearance, extra pages in your passport (sent to US embassy) in order to get Thai visa (sent to Thai embassy), recent passport pictures, a letter from your American company (Hello? I'm retired), a letter from the company who intends to employ you despite the fact that NOBODY will hire you sight unseen (a common application requirement is a "full body" photograph), an address in Thailand (see previous), an airline ticket providing proof of 'onward' ticket (despite the fact that it is almost impossible to get an airline ticket return that far in advance; solution, buy a two way ticket with any return date and pay $100 to change the date later on), sent in express envelope which must contain a return express envelope within, a $175 money order which is non- refundable if there are any errors or the Thai Visa is refused. Whew

Thank God for my Thai friend Ji who filled in some of the blanks. You want to be honest (have you seen those movies about Thai and Cambodian jails?) but it's almost impossible.

Here's today's snafu Du jour -  China Air has a ticket for $100 cheaper than the next cheapest - Air Emirates. (But do I really want to fly through Dubai?) China Air form says "What is your name on your passport?"  I reply honestly with first, middle, last name. 5 pages later, OK, purchase this ticket with your credit card - what name is on your credit card? first name, last name. Oh, sorry, this must be fraud, your name is different from your passport. And by the way, don't try to get any help on the website , 1- good luck trying to understand them and 2- it will cost you full fee to buy over the phone.
How many people do you know who put their full name on their credit card? Do they honestly get ANY internet sales? And get this, the credit card holder MUST fly along on the ticket purchased. This is not a problem for me, but I guess you could never buy a friend or relative a ticket as a gift or anything.

Does China forget that they OWN America? What do they have to lose?

I am now entering Day 3 of the China Air debacle. Get smart, Sharon, and pay the extra $100 for Emirates.

The first thing people say to me is "Don't you have to pack a lot?"  Heck, no, quite the opposite. You KNOW you have to buy clothes and HBA there so there's really not point in stockpiling. Plus why would you spend your money buying clothes here when they are so cheap there and probably different fashions over there. Example, I had packed loads of shorts for the last trip, anticipating the tropical heat. But nobody but nobody wears shorts (or sleeveless shirts) in Thailand - the people are far too conservative. A pair of capris was pushing the limits, and that was only for leisure times.

It's the paper preparation that will send you in search of a gas pipe.

   ***prepare for unsolicited opinion portion of my blog****
I have concluded that this is why such a small percentage of Americans travel extensively - the paper trail is enough to blanch (sp) even the most determined among us. I don't think the average American is willing ( or in many cases, able) to take on the beast.

Time to call China Air. Again.