OK, OK, I’m back. Three days of weekend seems to be just the right amount – I’d love to get into this schedule regularly. It was a full couple of days, though.
First the trip on Friday into Osaka to apply for visas went reasonably well. They only accept visa applications between 10 am and noon, so beforehand Kuniko had downloaded application forms so that we could fill them out in advance. Each of us had two forms to fill out, and I had to include a ton of paperwork related to my visa in Japan. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the front of the line at the visa office, they told me that we had filled out the forms for the Tokyo office, and that I’d have to start over with their forms. Oh, shit.
The office was busy, with not a pen or table space in sight. I hadn’t brought a pen, so I went next door to a small supermarket to buy one. The pens there were sold out – only red available. Trying not to panic I went across the street to another store, but it was a members-only store. Sorry, you can’t come in.
No convenience store in sight, and just about 90 minutes left before the visa office closed. Suddenly, I had a flash of inspiration, and went into a coffee shop. I sat down, ordered an ice coffee, and asked to borrow a pen. A comfortable writing space, a pen, and some coffee, all for 350 yen. Nice.
After rewriting our applications, and some research on the internet with my phone, I was able to get all the paperwork done. Going back to the office with one hour left, I held the door for an Indian guy who was very friendly. Turned out he was from Bangalore, and he gave me some tips on traveling while we’re there. By the time I turned in my papers and paid the bill (Americans always get screwed on visa prices it seems. Kuniko’s price was 2000 yen, and mine 12,000 yen) it was nearly noon. Kuniko will go back and pick up our passports with the visas in a week or so.
After the stress of the paperwork and time limit I decided to go out for some Taiwanese food. My students had recommended a branch of the chain restaurant DinTaiFung (鼎泰豊) specializing in shorompo – little pouches of pork or seafood and soup, steamed and served as dim sum 点心 style. My students usually go to this restaurant in Taiwan where it is super-cheap. Instead I paid a whole lot more for a whole lot less, but I will agree that the quality was excellent. Very delicious.
After that I was free to wander around downtown Osaka, which is always interesting, and allowed me a chance to exercise a little. Eventually I made my way back to Kobe and met Kuniko for dinner at 満月 (mangetsu) – a nice yakiniku place between Kobe and Motomachi stations. This was also a recommended restaurant by one of my former students, and it was also an excellent meal. We started out with some beef sushi – raw strips of wagyu beef on rice – and then moved into the cooked meats. We were completely satisfied with the meal and the price – a good place to eat.
Saturday and Sunday we both had off, but because of heavy rain we didn’t get out much. We rented some movies, spent a lot of time in the kitchen, and drank lots of wine. Very nice.
This week should be a standard work week for me, but Kuniko has a late night tonight. The rain has slacked off at least, so we should be able to go about our business this week without getting too wet.
