Lease renewal

These days, it is always one year ago for something. So, I renewed the lease of my apartment yesterday. Some people have asked me why I was not looking for another apartment, that it could be a way of exploring Taipei. It is true, but despite my apartment's shortcomings, it is good enough, with ample space for possible visitors, and close to work. And the landlady is very kind, too. As an example, she gave me a pot of oolong tea, typical from Taiwan, yesterday. Additionally, I feel too lazy to start the search for a place all over again. So, I will stay here for another year, unless there are any surprises. And if I am still staying in Taiwan after that, I will decide then what to do about it.

In any case, I still miss my apartment in Columbus, so I do not care too much anymore.

Renewals

A consequence of approaching the first year since I arrived to Taiwan is that I must renew the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) before the end of this month. Yes, I have been in this island for more than eleven months already.

So, since I got the required documentation to do the paperwork from the front office, I went to the immigration office on Friday morning, early and ready for any queue, but it was almost empty. I think I waited more for the MRT than for my turn at the desk. In 5 or 10 minutes, and after paying NT1000, all was done. Now, I must wait for a week to get the new card. From what I have seen of it, because they had to explain to me that the re-entry permit is now in the card, it is very modern-looking. Another one.