Boston Public Library

I've gotten more done in less time then I imagined. After catching the 7:30 bus from South Portland, Maine, to South Station, Boston, Mass, I've been attacking my to do list. So far I've found the Canadian Consulate, which was an adventure, collected paperwork for a Canadian Passport, and posed for a lot more passport photos. 

The consulate informed me that my US passport photos would not be sufficient, as the US standards are lax compared to other nations, and that I should find Matilde's Photo Finishing across the street for expert passport photography. After a little searching I found it, a little hole-in-the wall photo developer specializing in international passport and visa documents.  Matilde took my photo three times, not just once like the last place I went to, because she wasn't satisfied. Then, after growing worried that Canada would turn down my documents, she applied foundation to my face to lessen the glare. Legit. She said "Those Canadians are picky, and your shiny forehead might get your photos rejected." Damn you, shiny forehead skin. She even printed extra copies for me, cut them to US and Chinese specifications for the respective passports and visas, but only after chiding me for getting my original photos taken at RiteAid. "Those stores," she complained "They want to be everything. But for real passport photos, you've got to go to a photographer." 

So here I am, taking a break and making the most of BPL's free wifi. Next up on the to do list: Apply for a passport at a US passport office. Then, I'm back on the bus to Maine.