Well, it's been a while since I wrote a journal entry for my Japanese escapades. Hey, stop that cheering in the back row! Sheesh! Christmas time is sneaking up on us, and since I have today off for the Emperor's birthday (a national holiday here), so I thought it's high time I share some more of the epic. And with the year counter rolling all four digits this year, it seems natural to sit back and reflect for a while.
Let's see: I've moved into my apartment, and was able to locate it again less than two weeks later. Not too bad. :) The organization (if that is the correct word) of addresses here in Japan is just a bit different from the U.S. variety. This is my understanding of it, which is close if not dead-on. (Those who aren't interested in the "how" can skip the rest of this paragraph.) Here, they section off large areas (about the size of a medium town) called "ku"s, and give them a name (something-ku. Ingenious). So far, so good. Then, somewhere in something-ku a road develops. No need to name it; everyone knows which one it is, don't they? Then, more unnamed roads. So, next we get buildings. When the first building goes up (anywhere in the ku), its area of about 20-by-20 blocks (or more or less) is "named." It'll be area (chome) 1, or 1-chome. The building is, of course, #1. So its address is "1-1 something-ku." Now the next building is built somewhere far off within the ku. That's 2-chome, and the building address is 2-1 something-ku. The next building in 1-chome goes up... maybe a few blocks away, and it's named... (now, let's not always see the same hands.) 1-2, that's right. So the final effect is that if you're interested in the sequence that the buildings were constructed, you're all set. If, on the other hand, you'd like to actually FIND a building.... well, you have to know where it is first.
The buildings down my street as I approach my building are:
1-4-19, 1-4-17, 1-15-16, 1-15-15, 1-14-9, 1-14-8, 1-17, 1-10, and finally 1-13-10, my place. (No, I don't know where that -10 comes from. Sorry.)
Needless to say, there's no map (that I can find) that shows these building numbers. So for the first few nights (new moon), finding my way home was an interesting feat for this directionally-challenged individual. Not even with my GPS, because the streets aren't straight and don't have "dead end" markers where applicable. Fences and brick walls everywhere prevent access to the next road over. Fun fun. :^) Traveler's advisory: It *IS* OK for a man to ask directions, as long as he uses a second language to do so! The second night that I was wandering around lost, I found a street policeman. YES! "1-13-10 biru wa, doko desu ka?" So we went traipsing all over 1-chome, looking for my building. We found 1-12 and 1-11 that night, about a mile from 1-13, but it was about 45 minutes before we finally located 1-13. :^) Home by 1AM on Wednesday. Not too bad at all! :^)
But the final result is what matters, I suppose, and I must say that I'm very pleased with my new abode. It's in a pretty area; there are good stores nearby, four vending machines down the street (those machines are EVERYWHERE. More on that next). There's enough room for my clothes, a desk, an nice bed, kitchen... answering machine, fax, dual ISDN lines, etc., and I'm the first-ever tenant of the apartment. A better life than the hotel was, by a long shot.
Vending machines here, which are usually on the street about three to four blocks apart, dispense canned hot and cold coffee and tea (about $1), cigarettes (about $2.25), and sometimes beer. At around 11PM, the cigarette machines go to "sold out" mode. Must be due to some law, because it's that way all over.
On the way to the Hiro-o train station from "my place" there's a huge park that's popular with those who have time, with a large ball field, tennis courts and the like. It's too cool for those outdoor activities, so I don't see those exercised much now.
I had bought a scooter (I think I mentioned that) back in November, but there were problems getting a vehicle registration. In the meantime, I bought a bicycle, which I used for the twice-daily long walk to/from Hiro-o. I've now registered the scooter, sold the bike, and am starting to define new ways to get lost. Getting lost is probably be the theme (if not the definition) of my Japanese trip. Sometime, years from now, someone will ask me "Where were you during the turn to 2000?" And I can honestly say, "I have no earthly idea!" :^)
So with the residential and mobility issues resolved, what am I doing? Sitting in front of a computer, giving boring details to bored people who're probably too busy to read them. :^) That's OK. I'm having fun. :^)
Apparently, the U.S. has a HUGE misconception about Christmas and religion in general here. My poor, dear mother had a terrible time trying to get a package to me. One of the problems that UPS gave her was that she'd included a nativity set in the box. They told her she couldn't send anything religious, and that Japan doesn't celebrate Christmas, so the contents were forbidden! Sheesh! Well, UPS, if you're listening, WAKE UP! Christmas and Christian activities are definitely celebrated and encouraged here in Japan. It's not the same as being in America, of course, but it is definitely a big part of life here. I plan to post, soon, proof of that to my web page. I'll announce when that's ready. Christmas lights in some places here rival some of the best I've seen in America.
On life in general: I'm not at all tired of living in Japan, though I do wish I could mix and match things that I miss from America. Still having a great time, and appreciating the cultural differences.
Well, that's my update for now. I hope everyone who receives this has a wonderful and safe holiday season. My opinion is that the changeover to 2000 should be a promise of new and wonderful things, not a feared deadline date. Above all else, enjoy yourselves and hope for the future.