Nothing too exciting to blog about today, but I am trying to be committed to this blog early on.
Our furniture arrived! A couple friendly Japanese fellas assembled it all and got us all set up. We bought some really cheap furniture so hopefully it can withstand a couple of fat Americans. While purchasing our dining set, the store owner insisted that Travis try out the chairs because he was afraid they would crumble beneath is rock-hard muscles. It was quite amusing. Fortunately, we convinced owner that all was well. The set was cheap enough that even if we broke a couple of them, it really wouldn't be a big deal.
We went to dinner at a great ramen chain restaurant. The ramen here is sooo delightful. I have always been a big fan of the $.37 stuff back home, but the ramen here is way better. After that, we went grocery shopping for the first time. It was quite an experience. We found a Japanese equivalent to a big-box discount store so we were able to get groceries as well as some other household items, like detergent. It was so crowded. Far more crowded than the O'Fallon Target on a Sat. morning. But after a few cart accidents, we managed to purchase quite a few groceries. Groceries are certainly more expensive here, but many items are comparable in price. Some things are just insane, though. For instance, we went to buy dryer sheets, and much to my surprise, they had Downy ones. The price--over $10!!! Wowzers. I guess we'll just have to wear stiff clothes for the next 18 months. Milk is also a challenge because it's pretty hard to find skim milk here. I think we found some, but most of the milk is 3.5% to 4%. I don't even drink cream in my coffee so I don't plan to eat it on my Frosties (Japanese frosted flakes). We also got some salmon steaks, and I'm proud to say that consuming them will probably be a first for me. I'm pretty sure I've only had Chinese salmon up to this point.
Well, I promise to post some pictures of the apartment once we get a little more settled. We're not all assembled yet and still waiting on our air shipment.
Ok, I'm off to seize the day! We have a walking tour of the city this afternoon and plenty to do until then.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Sumimasen
Greetings from Nihon! If you're reading this, allow me to start by warning you to keep your expectations for this blog low. I'll try hard to make it interesting, but judging by my recent loss of cleverness and wit (okay, maybe not so recent), it's destined to fail.
Anywho...onto the nitty gritty. Travis and I arrived in Japan Wed. evening. We looked absolutely ridiculous lugging our 7 bags onto the train. We opted for the $8.50/person train ride over the $160 cab ride to the hotel so the embarassment was well worth it. We both struggled with the stairs and at one point, my shoe went flying, but whatev. We made it to the hotel and have been here ever since.
So far, our stay has been great. We purchased the furniture for our apartment and learned how to use the appliances. Our place is decked out with heated floors, remote controlled heat and air, a programmable bath filler-upper and an automated toilet seat. Not too shabby. We won't move in until Mon. when our air shipment hopefully arrives so for now, the Hilton will have to do. Life's rough, I know.
We've already met several individuals doin g our same program. It's pretty neat because they come from all over the world-UK, Australia, China, Pakistan, and more. Several of the Americans are married, too, so I have hope for friends!
We're also hooked up with Jetson-style cell phones. Travis and I both opted for the free ones, which surprises no one, I'm sure. They're nuts, though. Apparently they have a billion different features including acting as portable televisions, cameras, translators, and more. But, so far I haven't figured out how to actually make a call on mine. All in due time, I'm sure.
This post is pretty lame for my blog world debut, but allow me to leave you with a favorite Japanese phrase (also the only one I know), "sumimasen." When you come to visit me in Japan, you'll hear it about every two seconds. It means, "thank you," "excuse me" and "I'm sorry." And, when you are in Japan, you're sorry for EVERYTHING. Trust me on that one. You should basically apologize for your mere existence for it undoubtedly inconvenienced someone. So mom, sumimasen! (Surely 9 lbs. 13.5 oz. calls for it.)
Anywho...onto the nitty gritty. Travis and I arrived in Japan Wed. evening. We looked absolutely ridiculous lugging our 7 bags onto the train. We opted for the $8.50/person train ride over the $160 cab ride to the hotel so the embarassment was well worth it. We both struggled with the stairs and at one point, my shoe went flying, but whatev. We made it to the hotel and have been here ever since.
So far, our stay has been great. We purchased the furniture for our apartment and learned how to use the appliances. Our place is decked out with heated floors, remote controlled heat and air, a programmable bath filler-upper and an automated toilet seat. Not too shabby. We won't move in until Mon. when our air shipment hopefully arrives so for now, the Hilton will have to do. Life's rough, I know.
We've already met several individuals doin g our same program. It's pretty neat because they come from all over the world-UK, Australia, China, Pakistan, and more. Several of the Americans are married, too, so I have hope for friends!
We're also hooked up with Jetson-style cell phones. Travis and I both opted for the free ones, which surprises no one, I'm sure. They're nuts, though. Apparently they have a billion different features including acting as portable televisions, cameras, translators, and more. But, so far I haven't figured out how to actually make a call on mine. All in due time, I'm sure.
This post is pretty lame for my blog world debut, but allow me to leave you with a favorite Japanese phrase (also the only one I know), "sumimasen." When you come to visit me in Japan, you'll hear it about every two seconds. It means, "thank you," "excuse me" and "I'm sorry." And, when you are in Japan, you're sorry for EVERYTHING. Trust me on that one. You should basically apologize for your mere existence for it undoubtedly inconvenienced someone. So mom, sumimasen! (Surely 9 lbs. 13.5 oz. calls for it.)
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