First, mafan is a word that anyone who plans to talk to me for the rest of my life should learn. The standard translation is "trouble," but of course it's not quite that simple. Here's an example of typical usage:
Friend 1: Did you register for the fall semester at Yunnan University?
Friend 2: Nah, too I can't deal with all that paper work. Too mafan. I'm going to hire a private tutor.
Now I just want you all to know the new mafan that foreigners in China are dealing with ahead of the games. I've read a lot of small stories on it but this NY Times story does the best job so far of summing it all up and putting it in context.
Most critical to me at the moment is the visa mafan. Rules have become more obnoxious over the past few months, but last week they suddenly got really bad. Whereas it used to be easy to renew all kinds of visas from within China or to jet down to Hong Kong or Bangkok for a few days to get sorted out for another three to six months, now some reports say you have to go back to your home country and then can get only a one-month visa.
Before you get all excited about me coming back to NY for a visit when my current visa expires next month, check out this from a friend of mine who is a liaison for the New School's China program:
First - the regulations change and are not posted or communicated so people have shown up to pick up their visas to find out they need more info. In addition to the standard stuff (purpose of stay, duration,
etc) they have to show: hotel reservation, airline ticket (return ticket), bank statements, letters from the university in NYC. As of today, I have sent them two letters from Yunnan Univ. and they are scrambling for another from The New School. Not even sure if that is enough.
It's crazy.
Google "Mugamma" and you'll know I feel your pain.
Posted by: Miriam | April 25, 2008 at 09:57 AM