The weekend had been already wrecked by the remnants of a taifun that had spent its fury in Okinawa and southern Japan. By the time it reached the protective folds of the Shinano valley, all it had in store for us were two days of constant pouring. If anyone had planned on going on a hike, like I was, they were screwed. We went to another onsen instead. It was nice to sit in the hot water, and look out at the trees, until the old men started complaining that we spent too much time hogging the water... Like there wasn't enough space for them as well in the tub. Whatever!
So as nice as the onsen was, I wanted to go on this hike to test the map. With my colleague Yanik I am planing to undertake a hike across the Japanese Alps all the way to the sea. So to make sure the hiking times on the map correspond with the time we need to complete a hike, we wanted to go on a day-trip around the village of Asahi. But the rain threw a monkey-wrench in our plans. So I wasn't gonna let a petty trembler steal my sleep.
Later I found out that this petty trembler was a 6.8 earthquake, causing death and destruction just about 100 km North from us. But it wasn't the frenzy of the local citizens or the local news that gave me this idea, but the worried e-mails I got from several parts of the world. The further these messages came from, the worse the picture seemed to be portrayed. I had to assure everyone that I was fine, and that the lawnmower outside was more an annoyance factor than these natural disasters.
Other than that I have to mention that I am finally somewhat close to being a legally acknowledged person in Japan. I have what it takes to be recognized: a visa, for which I didn't even have to go to Korea. Instead I had to take two trips to Nagano (with two weeks between them) after finally getting my “letter of eligibility”, the paper that announces another loooong waiting period, once it had been granted after 8 weeks. With my visa I could apply for a Gaijin-card, which is nothing more than a legal identification for foreigners. After three weeks I even got that, and I could finally get a cell-phone (one week waiting period), which is needed for pretty much everything else: applying for health insurance, opening a bank account, even buying a bicycle. Fortunately I found my way around the latter obstacle, so I got a bike way before I was supposed to.
But today I finally got a bank account too. I opened it up with an initial deposit of five yen (Japanese symbol of good luck and prosperity). My inquiry about a credit card was refused, as I am not staying for a full year. To be realistic, after the diverse waiting periods, the remainder of my stay has been reduced to half a year, especially since I would have to wait another month for the card, if I can convince them that I WAS gonna stay for a full year.
So I might not even be able to buy a book, or an airline ticket online. But what does this bank account offer? A cash-card I can use at local ATM's for a charge of 200 yen per transaction(!!!), and even that at restricted times. Withdrawals at night or on Sundays are out of question. So what's it all good for? To make it easier (for my school) to pay me? To help the bank get over its financial crisis? Well, I know I will withdraw everything at once, convert it into cash or USD traveler's checks. Screw the financial institution if they are such a rip-off!
But the coolest thing about the whole issue is my bank-book. It's so Japanese it's not even funny.... or is it? Judge for yourself!
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen