Why haven't I left yet? Everyone seems to be asking me this question now. Clearly their having to say goodbye as if it's the last time they' re ever going to see me is beginning to wear out my friends. Some of the more unfortunate must have said goodbye at least three or four times. Much to everyone' s delight, I will be setting off this Saturday, but getting all the necessary visas (签证) for the journey has been far from quick, cheap or straightforward. Getting a Chinese visa was easy enough. The Mongolian embassy (大使馆) seemed a bit unprepared for me, or in fact any other tourist, wanting to visit the country in winter and it took half an hour of knocking at the door before I got an answer. The Mongolian visa, however, has a map of the country in the background that should come in handy if I get lost out on the grassland. It was getting a Russian visa that had me wondering if I'd ever be able to leave. The requirements for the visa, especially for the trip that ! plan to take, were a mountain of paperwork. I was required to prove, for example, where and when I plan on staying in each city and what train I plan to catch between cities. I've spent a lot of time preparing for this trip, but ! still have no idea what to expect on this journey. The planning and packing has taken my mind off any worries I have so now everything is ready and I just want to get going. I'm sure I will see some interesting people and see some wonderful sights, and the sense of the unknown makes it all the more exciting. How do the writer's friends feel about the delay of his trip?