CONGRATULATIONS! on making a large and possibly strange decision. Why Australia?? people ask. It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t care, and I don’t want you to tell me. You’ve decided, that’s what matters. There is no going back. There is no inexpensive way of going back.
STEP ONE: Apply for a visa, then don’t notice that that visa was approved until three weeks after the fact. “Do I need to follow this timeline EXACTLY,” you wonder.
No. No you don’t.
Australia will send you an approval letter that is so confusing you may not realize it is a visa. Mine was sent one day after I applied, and I thought it was a receipt. Hah. They also use an electronic system because we live in the future so there is no need for you to get a stamp in your passport. Whoa.
STEP TWO is drop a ton of Ke$$$ha on a plane ticket. Choose your date of entry. Maybe also buy a return ticket, but I decided not to because I don’t know when I will want to leave and I might want to do some other travel before flying home. I spent a long time (15 minutes?) looking at flights on google flights and attempting to determine which was best (re: cheapest) without having a six hour layover in Guangzhou. I consulted several friends regarding what length of layover was acceptable for transferring from a domestic to an international flight in LAX while also considering every possible life decision which led up to this moment. After significant cajoling from friends (you guys are the best) while white knuckling my credit card I held my breath and pressed “confirm.”
When I opened my eyes, I realized I had waited too long and the screen timed out.
Repeat, but choose a slightly different flight without noticing. Look forward to your eight hour layover in LA.
