Doing the Helsinki paperwork

Now that everything's been confirmed with sponsorship and the likes, I went out to the local government building to get the paperwork done. Even though I don't really need a passport to go from Belgium to Finland (both are part of Schengenland), I think it's better to play safe and bring it anyway.

The lady at the office where they issue such things, however, told me that I need to turn in my previous one because it's still 'registered', whatever that may mean. No, it does not mean 'valid', because it was only valid for one year, and according to that lady, it was issued in 2002 (which sounds about right, that was for the trip to .au).

2002. That's, like, 3 years ago. Do they really think I still have the bloody thing after all that time? Especially if it's been invalid since more than half that time? Grmbl.

Oh well. The alternative is to go by the local police station, tell them you lost it, and ask for an official piece of paper that states I did so. I think I'll go for that option — I can't find it in the mess I call 'bedroom'.