New estimate on our timeline.

Someone has done the math and the CCAA has averaged 12.73 days/month of files for the past 16 months. Let’s assume that the next batch of referrals which is to be announced any day now will be for files up to September 23, 2005 (this is the expected date). This would leave 67 days between the last referral date and our log-in date (Nov 29, 2005). Based on the 12.73 days of referrals per month, we’re looking at a further wait of 5¼ months. If the matching continues as it has, this means that we would receive our referral in early May. From our referral, there is a 9 week wait until travel, so this means that we could be travelling at the beginning of July.

Some issues with travelling in July…
Heat – it gets hot in China. And humidity is supposedly even worse than what we experience here.
Air pollution – with the heat comes increased levels of smog which could affect our breathing.
Travel costs – travelling in summer adds approximately 25% to the cost of the flight. A quick look at hotels shows an increase of approximately 30%.

Some benefits of travelling in July (or summer in general)…
Clothes – we won’t have to pack lots of clothes which will lessen our luggage
Weather – weather delays associated with winter travel won’t exist
Tourism – all tourist sites, etc… will be open and all flowers, etc… will be in full bloom.