Last week was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me. I never thought that I would admit to liking the DMV, but in Japan, I adore the people who work at the Driving Licensing Center. The English written test is extremely easy, while the practical driving examination is damn near impossible. I failed twice before passing. Unlike in Florida, where you can just pop-up and hang out at the DMV taking as many re-takes as you like in a single day (provided you are willing to a) wait & b) pay), in Japan it’s a once a day shot and more expensive.
I was fortunate to have exams at school, so I could request special leave to go to Daiei (about 45 minutes away from Tottori City) for this. The people at the center were so kind to me, especially because I was trying to do everything in Japanese and without the assistance of a teacher. My supervisor, vice principal, and teachers were so supportive of me. When I came back to school today, I was showing my Japanese license like a baby picture. Everyone wanted to see it & hold it. I also had to take out my American license because they wanted to see what it looked like. There was a clear difference between the girl on my American license and the one on the Japanese license.
It was not only an accomplishment for me to earn the ability to drive in Japan, but it was also a test of my Japanese comprehension and my ability to navigate (survive) in Japan, by myself.
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