It seems that I need a social security number here (for a number of reasons). The usual application process involves going to the nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office in West Sacramento. Except that they come through to Davis once a year at the start of the new academic year to deal with all the foreigners arriving on campus for the first time. Well that seemed like a bargain to me, so I trotted along on 16 September and signed up!
Then, last week, I got a letter from them in the mail: they needed to see my passport before they could process my application! This despite the fact that they had checked my passport when I saw them in Davis in September. So much for avoiding the trip to Sacramento!
After several attempts to phone them and make an appointment I finally gave up and decided just to go through (fingers crossed that they would be able to help me out there and then). That meant weighing up the options for getting there. Without a car there are three main options: (1) hire a car; (2) take a bus; or (3) cycle. (1) is a little expensive for a simple visit to an office. (2) is rather complicated, involving taking a regional bus through to West Sac then a second local bus service to get to the SSA office. (3) is a good way to get some exercise and get there for free (appealing to both the cyclist and the Scot in me!). So, I set off this morning on my bike and had a relatively pleasant ride there, although it was a bit windy. It took just over an hour to get there (about 13 miles, or 20kms), with almost all of it bar the last 500m or so being on either bike paths or bike lanes (I love this country's attitude to cycling!).
Once I arrived at the SSA office a computer disgorged a ticket with a number and I settled down to wait. That didn't take too long (about 40 minutes) and the official who saw me was very friendly and helpful and tut-tutted that they hadn't checked the passport details when they were here. Apparently my card should be in the mail shortly.
I managed to avoid the temptation of shopping at Ikea, which is very close to the SSA offices, but did spend some time in the HUGE Walmart superstore there before hitting the bike trail back to Davis. Well, the trip back was "interesting". The "bit windy" conditions had turned into REALLY WINDY conditions (the weather bureau is reporting "37 km/h gusting to 58 km/h" — I guess the numbers are less wierd in mph!), and the journey back took rather longer and was a lot less pleasant than the ride there.
Anyway, I survived the adventure and got my exercise for the week! I really do need a lighter bike though!
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