I personally try to get the equivalent of +/- $20 USD in the currency of the place where am going even at bad exchange rates because I hate to arrive penniless. May need it to make a phone call, get a SIM card, a quick bite, or a taxi. Sometimes is is difficult to find an exchange booth open. Often the better exchange rates are in town, not at the airport, unless is a big airport open 24 hrs. Have a safe travel!

I've moved a couple of times. The first landlord gave me a signed power of attorney to do their report on their behalf, a copy of their ID, house book, and lease. The second time, the new landlord came with me. Everytime, I got an official address notification slip, stapled to the back of the passport, and a new 90 day reporting slip as well. You can move anywhere but the new address report is suppossed to be done at the new IO in 24 hrs.

If you submit the application and something is out of order, follow the IO request for additional docs or whatever, then resubmit again. Kind of "test until you pass". They won't hold it against you. No lost love. After that, you may even be able to help others. The application docs and procedure are routine and well documented at the IO.

@Ruth ******

I regret if I sounded like it was ok to judge others, specially random strangers on the internet, but I do state that is is a brutal necessity to judge ourselves, as separate individuals, responsible for ourselves, and take proactive action to prevent tragedy, the result of our own defiance. I personally make it the business of my life to avoid a situation where IO comes to my home to tell me am on overstay. I assume 110% responsibility on that.

@Ruth ******

"The unexamined life is not worth living"-Socrates. Judgements are a daily necessity. We hope to have all the facts and the clarity of mind to make them. We do not want to rush to a premature judgement. We still have to judge. Am well aware that notes become part of the environment. Myself have been taking notes for decades, the result of technical work, yet seldom go back to them, and as you said, become part of the environment. Still better than "I will remember, it's on my head". Calendars on phones are fine till we lose the phone, calendars on the wall are fine till we throw them after new year's, post-it notes are fine till 10 min after we see them. Still, one has a personal duty to recognize one's own failings and inabilities and take proper measures. Get an admin assistant, a valet, a reminder company, but for goodness sake, do not let immigration remind you. I still think it is horrible to be *forced* to the airport departure lounge, without one's luggage. The IO does not care about one mental's state either. As far as they are concerned, "good riddance". Peace.

@Ruth ******

it is about recognizing one's own weaknesses and doing something to mitigate the possible tragedies. Am no longer young and sadly.enough, I've seen that the "free spirits" are the ones to go down first.

I tell people that the cheapest ink is more reliable than the most powerful memory. Yet, surprisingly enough, they, in a defiant way, say, "I will remember, it's in my head". A post-it note on the fridge door could have saved this poor man from an untimely deportation and 5 yr banishment. How sad for a retiree! 😧

You and I can see that but a social/traditional mindset does not come about but in 100 to 200 yrs assuming there is also economic and belief changes that facilitate intellectual growth. I regret this may sound ugly, but while "you can take them out of the village, you can't take the village out of them". Old proverb.

@Paul ******

in traditionally agrarian economies/societies, young workers can carry more sacks of rice faster and farther. This belief and practice is nearly impossible to change over one or two generations. In knowledge based economies/societies, the opposite occurs. We value intelligence, not muscle. Then there is an uglier side. No way a 50+ teacher can be more entertaining, lively, and attractive than a younging, full of vitality, and good looks, who may even be a possible target for a wild ride. Got to keep students interested. Knowledge and experience? Nah, for what? They want fun and games! 😀

There are *many* foreigners employed as English teachers in LOS. Of course, qualifications are required.

The application deadline has passed for this "help wanted" ad, but this illustrates one of the many opportunities a foreigner has in LOS for extended living and earning an income, above average, to go with it. Teaching is an honorable endeavor, contributes immensely to future generations and will provide a social environment where the newcomer can ease into mainstream society. Many have done it for years, and also retired here as a bonus. Check out the various job boards online. Good luck!