Today is \u201cMedical Check\u201d day.\u00a0 All family members load the bus at 7:30 am. We take a long ride out to an official facility to complete all medical exams for the \u201cForeign Expert Certificate\u201d, and the \u201cResidential Permit\u201d.\u00a0 We tried to do as many of the required tests before we left the US, and it paid off today.\u00a0 Judy had to do nothing else.\u00a0 I had to get a blood test.\u00a0 I had the required test in Arlington, but the results weren\u2019t in any of my paperwork, so I got poked again.<\/p>\n
The building is very plain, and all the workers are wearing face masks.\u00a0 The BISS doctor is translating and guiding us as needed.\u00a0 It\u2019s an assembly line as teachers and family members are guided to the necessary rooms for the appropriate tests.\u00a0 We had to \u201cfast\u201d this morning, so when we board the bus to depart, each of us gets a snack sack and water.\u00a0 Everyone chows down.<\/p>\n
There is a long drive back to BISS where the teachers are dropped off.\u00a0 Family members are returned to their apartments.\u00a0 I eat some lunch and focus on my list of \u201cto-do\u2019s\u201d for the day.\u00a0 I contact our housing agent Lisa (assigned by BISS) about how to \u201ctop off\u201d (pay ahead) on our water cards.<\/p>\n
We have two cards, hot & cold, and value must be added to each card, and then read by the meters at our apartment.\u00a0 She meets me and walks me over to UHN management offices (hidden in a basement, no signs, down a long dimly light hallway.\u00a0 I pay 500y total to both cards ($83).\u00a0 Cards are \u201cloaded\u201d and I return to the apartment, not really sure how to use the cards, but confident that I\u2019ve paid into both (not sure how it was divided between cards.<\/p>\n
Offhandedly, Lisa asks when do we want to make our visit to the police station?\u00a0 Huh?\u00a0 New residents must register for temporary residency at the local police station. We must carry a copy of this permit until we get our \u201cResidence Permit\u201d which is good for a year.\u00a0 She\u2019s leaving town tomorrow for a HS class reunion for a week.\u00a0 Suddenly we have a tight deadline and no help.\u00a0 Oh well.<\/p>\n
I need to find an electronics store (like Best Buy).\u00a0 I\u2019m told \u201cGome\u201d (gomay) is the place to go.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen one not far away (7 or 8 blocks)\u00a0 Our \u201cTaxi Book\u201d has one listed so I jump in a cab, show them my book, and off we go.<\/p>\n
We drove right by the one that was close and passed two others that I saw.\u00a0 I was finally dropped at a really big store, far from the apartment.\u00a0 I have learned a new lesson about taxi book usage:\u00a0 don\u2019t assume the destination listed is the closest site.<\/p>\n
I walk in and after much gesturing, and hand signals, I walk out with an iron, tabletop ironing board, hair dryer, several extension strips, and a hand vac.\u00a0 It\u2019s cash only, I discover.\u00a0\u00a0 Out to the taxi area and home.\u00a0 Three drivers look at my instructions for home and \u201cshake me off\u201d.\u00a0 I\u2019m beginning to get a little worried, and finally a driver seems to be able to read, or at least decipher the description.\u00a0\u00a0 Arrival at home is a relief!\u00a0 Judy arrives later and we unpack the prizes from today\u2019s safari, eat little dinner, swap tales of the day\u2019s adventures, and prepare for the next day.\u00a0 Jet lag is still affecting both of us, so the bed is a welcome destination.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today is \u201cMedical Check\u201d day.\u00a0 All family members load the bus at 7:30 am. We take a long ride out to an official facility to complete all medical exams for the \u201cForeign Expert Certificate\u201d, and the \u201cResidential Permit\u201d.\u00a0 We tried … Continue reading