Monday: A Quiet Day

Nothing of note really happened today; I did school work and chatted a little with some friends – which I am actually starting to amass. I did, however, get another example of how slow and ridiculous the banking system is in Scotland. I'd gone in to apply for/open a bank account on September 20th, and I’d been told that there was a 7 to 10 day wait until the account was opened. I thought it was a little ridiculous, but I agreed and I was required to wait to get money. Well, on Friday last week, I received a letter from the bank telling me that the account was open, but I had to wait another few days to get my bank card. Odd, I thought, but when in another country… Today, I received another letter from the bank, and it contained my Visa debit card (which is both cash card and credit card in one). However, there was a wrinkle in the whole process; I have to wait for another letter from the bank, because they send the PIN number in a different letter. Effectively, there is a two week wait between opening the account and being able to use it. They also send it out in three letters… not the most efficient way of doing things, but what do I know, I’m only a foreigner. So the wait is on for the PIN to arrive, which could take up to five days.