What a long strange trip it's been

Wow! Last week I had to renew my visa, which is something that us expats here in Japan always approach with a bit of trepidation. No matter how long you've been here, you never really know how the folks at immigration are going to respond to your request to be allowed to stay a bit longer.
Thankfully, over the past few years, the government employees staffing the immigration and visa counters have become noticeably more friendly and accommodating. Plus, much to my amazement, my Japanese has actually improved! That being the case, the process went fairly smoothly, with only a few minor glitches. So after a bit of fuddling around I got my visa renewed. I have learned that the secret is to give them as little information as possible. Too much data and their mental processes lock up like an old Windows NT program.

Can you say BSOD?

Just give them a little bit and everyone is happy. So I got my visa and am safe for a bit longer! However it made me think about the passage of time. I came here in 2001 with the intention of staying 2 years. It has now been almost 7 years!! But I can't really complain. I enjoy my work. I get to take about 5 weeks of vacation a year and I am still managing to save some money. I feel pretty lucky compared with some of my brethren back in the states who are living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Amazing as it may seem, I think that I enjoy more personal freedoms here in Japan than I would in the US. Mostly due to the incompetence and apathy of the police/government employees and the like. Like they say, 'tis an ill wind that blows no good...
Next week it's off to Northern Vietnam to explore Hanoi, Hue, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay and try to explore as many of the culinary delights as my stomach can handle. Check back for updates and possibly photos.
In the meantime, the plum blossoms are out and spring is peeking warily around the corner.


Life is good.