Paperwork in the morning

Life is full of surprises. I was told on Friday that I could speed up the paperwork to open a bank account. I had to go back to the Immigration office and ask for the ID number I will have in the ARC. If I had that, I could open an account and also begin the paperwork to get the health insurace.

So there I went yesterday morning. The Sun was scorching and I could really appreciate it walking in the street. The temperature that I saw in my PC when I arrived to my office was 33ºC. No wonder. Anyway, I arrive there, my turn is in five minutes, and that was all. Then, go back to the ASIAA. Very good, very good. Now take these papers, and your ARC number, passport, ASIAA card and stamp (or "chop", which they use to officially sign documents and gives those characteristic red stamps; but more on that another day).

I opened the account in the Post Office, which seems to be the only place where it can be done with a minimum of hassle. From what I have been told, the conditions for foreigners to open a bank account are rather strict and you need a taiwanese guarantor. A mess. I had to wait a little longer and then, here are the documents, sign twice with my name in Chinese —I already know it by heart— on unintelligible papers; here is the deposit; here you have the account book

which surprised me, and come back in four day to pick up your ATM card. Easy and something less to worry about, although I had difficulties to come across a couple of times, when I wanted to clarify some things. In any case, it does not solve my problem of having to pay my rent in cash.