I’ve had a job offer since approximately the middle of August, with a German network consultancy firm. At first, the contract specified a start date of September 1st, but that was postponed because I didn’t yet have a work visa (or Arbeitserlaubnis, in German), until October 1st. With that date rapidly approaching, I still don’t have a work visa. In fighting the neverending red tape, I’ve wasted numerous hours of my life queueing, sitting in waiting rooms, or otherwise just growing old at the Ausländerbehörde.

It was so much simpler in Russia, even though I had to travel to Estonia (twice) to get a temporary tourist visa, and eventually a business visa. At least in Russia, there was always a good chance you could expedite the process by offering a nice bottle of vodka (or a big cake, in the case of women officials). No such chance in Germany, and I dread to think of the consequences if one tried this little stunt.

In a little over two weeks, if I still don’t have a work visa, I’ll be planning my exit from Germany – not by choice, but because my current residency visa expires on October 31, and can’t be extended. Super…

I’m finally back in Berlin, after several unplanned delays. I’ll be here until at least April 2008, seeing how things pan out. I’m considering doing a TESOL or CELTA course, to open up the possibility of teaching English (either here, Russia, or Japan). Having had such a great time in Japan has made it difficult to decide where I next want to settle. I suppose time is still in my side… kinda.

On my way to Germany, I stayed five nights in Japan, doing a whirlwind tour of Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. Apart from the blood, sweat (and almost tears) of lugging 27 kg of gear through Tokyo train stations, Japan was a really cool place. The people are amazingly friendly and generous, and the whole place has a really good nightlife. You wouldn’t have to twist my arm very hard to convince me to return.