On Friday I went to Shimonoseki for to get re-entry permit. I marvel, yes marvel, at the wonders that a properly constructed beauracracy can present. Firstly, the reason I went to Shimonoseki was that the Ube immigration office only open for three or so hours on Mondays, and closed tomorrow. Arriving in Shimonoseki, I navigated the bus system and found myself in a near empty, very governmental looking building. I found the small sign directing me to the fourth floor, walked down a hall, past a kitchenette and some empty boxes. At the end of the hall there was an office that could have been staffed by twenty housing a single man watching TV and reading a newspaper. I was asked to fill out a form. I did so. He gave me the payment sheet and I tried to pay, but I was told that on needed to go to the next building where one could purchase payment stamps. I left, purchased the stamp, affixed it to the sheet and returned. He stamped my passport, bid me good-day and sent me out into the heat.It was hot that day.
It's been hot every day lately.
It isn't even the hot part of summer yet.
On the plus side, I managed to get a little shopping done and meet up with my friend Stirling for a night of light drinking. Or heavy drinking. It could of been either. All I know is that I went home with my wallet looking like this:
This preperation ws not merely so I could explore Shimonoseki and deal with civil servants. I go to Korea this week. Dansen's in town for about ten days to get his Japanese work visa. Town here should read Seoul. I'd kick myself if I spent a year in Yamaguchi without going to Korea, it's so damn close. I had originally wanted to take the JR Beetle there and airplane back. that proved too expensive. I looked into Beetle both ways, but since I would have to take the KTX (Korean Shinkansen) to and from Pusan that also was two expensive. So it's up in the air for me come Wednesday.Time to pack.
