Settling In

All things considered, there are only two kinds of men in the world-those who stay at home and those who do not. The second are the more interesting. 

                                                                                                                                 –Rudyard Kipling

It has been a busy week.  After having traveled to the West side of the Aomori prefecture to Goshogowara Tachineputa Festival by train last weekend.  Sunday, we slowly started settling into our apartment.  After unpacking a few bags, we resigned to resting in the living room/kitchen area of our apartment because it is the air-conditioned half.  We can close it off and read, cook and sleep in the cool non-humid air.  This week the weather has been warmer and very humid, 80’s with 60% humidity.  It has been nice to relax after work and make dinner at home.  We are lucky to have a fruit, vegetable, and fish grocer two blocks from where we live.  It is stocked with fresh, seasonal vegetables.  At home it is easy to eat meals that look and taste similar to meals we prepared in Seattle.  Tofu, vegetables stir fry on noodles or rice.  Todd has especially enjoyed trying a new mushroom variety every night.  An added plus, during our travels we were able to shop at a foreign food store and stock up on Thai green curry paste, coconut milk, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garbanzo beans, mustard, etc.  I feel good about being able to make salad dressing, hummus and curry once in awhile!

With our limited Japanese but equipped with lots of hand gestures and smiles, we were successful in buying Todd a momma-cherry bike.  This is the most common style bike in Japan an upright, fixed gear, cruiser style with a basket. I inherited one from my JET predecessor.  That evening we rode around town with a new found freedom and mobility.  We got lost on our way to a Japanese Ikea called Nitori.  Japanese roads are not marked with signs and most directions are given based on landmarks. Our saving grace was a fortuitous meeting on the street corner, another ALT, Lindsay on her way home.  She pointed us in the right direction with detailed directions in English!  We found the store and bought new sheets, a few dishes and other odds and ends for our apartment, limited to what could fit into our baskets. 

It is already Friday again.  This weekend, we look forward to exploring the Hachinohe coast, swimming in the ocean, meeting friends and continuing to settle into our Japanese life.