Getting lots of treasures.
With no help from Mastercard.
Yesterday it was raining cats and dogs as we drove the 370 kilometre round trip to a traders auction for more treasures.
Today its a beautiful crystal clear day in Hitachi so its ideal as a packing day.
The view from our packing area is shown above as is a Kimono made by National Living Treasure in 1926 owned and almost worshipped by by our kimono trader, typical traders auction characters, Mabo And Atsu’s children and Atsu’s sisters traditional wedding in November.

Well: about Mastercard
What fun and games they create along with a whole heap of angst.
I arrived in Japan seven ago and after a few days my cash ran out so of to the 7/11 ATM as per usual: BUT!
I then began what felt like endless trips to various Japanese ATM’s, Japan Post Office  and banks trying to get cash.
Thinking it was a temporary problem or me being technical luddite I persevered for much to long before I gave up and called the ANZ.
After hours on the phone to the ANZ  and Mastercard I get told Mastercard changes to software has created a software glitch that causes all ATM’s in Japan to reject Mastercard credit cards ucustomers attempts to withdraw cash.
Then after another hour and a half on the Mastercard International line organising emergency cash providing them with my blood group and DNA I am eventually informed that Mastercard cannot deliver emergency cash in Japan, this the second largest economy in the world, but get this: 200 other countries would be OK and by the way thank you for using Mastercard and is there anything else we do can do for you!  Go figure.
Don’t rely on Mastercard not to leave you stranded in a foreign country whistling dixie and singing for your supper.
Lucky my friends here were happy to lend me cash otherwise i would have been in serious trouble.
Anyway after serious bleeting the ANZ they offered a solution, unlike Mastercard and today the ANZ Cash Card they mailed arrived and was activated successfully.
Phew