8.11.2003

I hate immigration. I was there today. After taking the subway, to the train, to the bus I finally got there an hour later. What they did when they built the new immigration complex was to pick a place that was as far out of the way as could possibly be. Then they built the building there. Next to a garbage reprocessing plant. Also, it is this hjuge, ugly building that is shaped like the red cross symbol. Immigration used to b in akasaka, which is 15 minutes from where I live. now it is in Tennozou Isle...A man made island in Tokyo Harbor. So after I finally get there around 1 or so I have to fill put the same form i have filled out twice another time. Then I take a number. I tried to take one before I filled out the form, but nooooo. Heaven forbid they call your number and you aren't ready. that is a serious offence that borders on deportation. So they make you fill out all your paperwork so you can sit there like a drone waiting 2 hours for your number to be called. Then they call my number and this time I brought my Alien Registration Card. I also had my passport. So there is nothing, I thought nothing they could do to me this time. They complained because I only put that my office is in Ginza and I had the phone number there, but not he street address. So I had to go sit down, get the street address, then take another number!!!!!!!!! I gave them the paperwork and he looked at me with a satisfied look on his face and said thank you and had me fill out a return address postcard so they can notify me when my stamp is ready. I walked outside only to stand in the blazing hot sun and wait 10 minutes for the bus back to the train, back to the subway. It costs me over 1,000 yen to goto immigration. That is roughly $8(US). This is the second time I have gone there for this matter. I hate them!