So, it’s Thursday, August 26, 2010. I am on the island of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Marian Islands.  I’m scheduled to leave from Saipan to China on Sunday night…August the 29th. I sent my passport to the US to get my China visa issued about two weeks ago. However, my passport mysteriously hasn’t arrived yet, so I decide to check the USPS site to see if there is any information. Shouldn’t be an issue, I think to myself, I’ve received Express Mail packages from the states many times without delay.

So, anyway, I enter the delivery tracking number, and lo, and behold…I discover my passport is in American Samoa!

According to the usps.com site:

Your package has been missent, and every effort is being made to get it to you as quickly as possible.

Missent, August 23, 2010, 1:39 pm

Missent, August 23, 2010, 5:51 am

Notice Left, August 23, 2010, 5:10 am, PAGO PAGO, AS 96799

Arrival at Post Office, August 23, 2010, 5:06 am, PAGO PAGO, AS 96799

Processed through Sort Facility, August 20, 2010, 10:22 am, HONOLULU, HI 96820

Processed through Sort Facility, August 19, 2010, 8:04 pm, KEARNY, NJ 07032

Electronic Shipping Info Received, August 17, 2010

So, just to put things into perspective, here: The flight I’m booked on is the last outgoing flight of a limited series of special charter flights direct from Saipan to Beijing. The ticket is non-refundable. There are no other flights to Beijing from Saipan. My car is sold. My apartment lease is up. My friend in Beijing is ready to pick me up as planned…. AND….someone in Pago, Pago has my passport and I need it in 2 days or else the whole trip is kaput! If it doesn’t arrive by 12 noon Saturday (the last day of mail delivery for the week), then I won’t be able to get it until the post office opens up for business at 9am Monday morning–the morning AFTER my scheduled flight!

Ahhh, what would life be without a little suspense and drama?

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