settling in

The tatami room / our bedroom closet and light fixture.


Mirah noting that we're at yet another new park.


We've been in our apartment just over a week now. It's so nice to have moved out of the hotel. When we first arrived in Japan, we stayed for two weeks at the Okura Frontier Hotel in Ebina. The following two weeks, we lived in the Loisir Hotel in Atsugi, Ebina's neighbor city. Both hotels were lovely, but the lack of a kitchen and a space of one's own while Mirah was sleeping made things very difficult. Now we are back in Ebina and our apartment is located right across the street from our first hotel. This is familiar territory!

Each day brings some new adventure, be it big or small. Yesterday I was determined to get some stationary and write a couple of old-fashioned letters. Then, Mirah and I ventured to the post office. I had been in the post office before as it is the home of an ATM that works for us, but I had never used the actual postal services there. As we walked in, I noted a smallish window off to the right and a larger area to the left with a number of cashiers at stations. Being afraid of the big area, I headed to the small. Of course when I pulled out my two little letters, I was redirected to the intimidating area. I am so thankful for people who pick up on my cluelessness and take pity--a woman noticed that I was unsure of what to do, so she showed me the way. What stood in my way was a "take a number" system that was automated. There were four buttons from which to choose. I was unsure which one to push so just stood there hesitatingly. Luckily, Helpful Woman hit the top button for me and handed over the numbered receipt that was produced. Helpful Woman gave up her spot in line for me. Bless her. From there, the rest was simple. I produced my little letters and the cashier asked me, "air mail?" and away we went. The cost was 110 yen per letter.

I'm often asked questions at cash registers that I don't understand. Often it involves a question about needing parking, or if I have some kind of points or rewards card. Usually I can answer correctly, according to my situation. And until yesterday, I hadn't gathered any points cards. In the course of one day, though, I received two such reward cards. I had no idea what they were for, but I got one stamp on each of them.

Today it became clear that one of my rewards cards, from our nearest grocery store SATY, was for bringing my own bag. When it was time to pay, I got out my cash and the card, and handed them over. The cashier had already given me a plastic bag (bag your own groceries here), but when she saw the card, she gave me a stamp and took away the bag. Aha! I still have no idea what happens when one fills up the card. We shall see!

The grocery store is so interesting. And being there at the busy times, particularly around lunch and dinner, never ceases to amaze me. All the cashier lanes are open and there are lines at every single one. It's true that the Japanese are just used to being cooperative and living and working in small spaces because even though everyone's nearly running into each other, somehow collisions are avoided and everyone seems to get along. I often imagine the inner grumblings of crabby people, but they usually aren't apparent. In the U.S. I could just hear people in line complaining about having to wait, looking anxious, asking for managers, etc. In Japan, everyone just knows they have to wait and we're all in this together, so why grouse? I very much appreciate this. Usually when we are waiting in line I spend my time subtly people watching. There are generally several mom and child combos to check out, or kids to catch Mirah's eye.

Settling in to our apartment means that it's been generally outfitted. We have kitchen utensils, appliances, furniture, and even drapes as of last weekend. Soon we will need to figure out bedding for guests who will arrive. SATY or Simachu, another home goods store, are near our house and both have folding beds of a sort.

I think we are getting a rental car soon. I don't really think we need one, and I don't plan on driving it during the day, but Brian may use it for work and it could be helpful for some shorter weekend trips. If the car arrives this evening, Brian hinted that he wanted to find the Toys r Us. Yep, there's a Toys r Us in Atsugi and Brian's been longing to find Transformers. We haven't seen them around much. Can't wait to have more TFs hanging around our apartment. Ha ha!