I’ve been in Japan for 2 weeks!!!!!
This morning I woke early, had a nice chat with Mia, then went with Masayuki and Hugh to see a couple elementary schools where we’ll be teaching. I met some of the staff, but I think most of them are changing schools... but oh well. At least I know what the schools look like.
In fact after that, I hopped in my car and made my way back to both schools to make sure I could get there without trouble. I made it to both just fine.
I stopped for some shopping at a Genky pharmacy. It’s a pharmacy but it has like everything (except tissues!). I got some little containers for food, and for want of anything else that fit the description of a soap dish, I got another set of little containers for soap. I also picked up some cheap food, some more snacks to try, scissors, microfiber towels (they’re the only things that dry), and a notebook.
Then I got gas. It was pretty easy. (They do it for you, like Oregon.) Gas runs from 143¥ a liter (lowest I saw) to 158¥ a liter (from what I’ve seen). So that’s something like $5.70 a gallon for gas? Higher than Utah, sure. Lower than Europe I think.
Back at my apartment, for want of sandwich meat (and anticipating no time later for dinner), I made yakisoba for lunch, and read my book.
Later I went to a kid class with Randy then a business class, though I won’t be teaching the business class, Randy needed a ride. He’s passed his driver exam but forgot his license.
Now I’m reading email and posting the blog. I will write some stuff then go to bed... once my sheets dry. I washed them this morning.
Is self-service illegal, or did it just never take off there for some reason?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you haven't had any trouble navigating while driving. I think the combination of the wacky Japanese address system and foreign language would make it nearly impossible for me. Do you have a GPS? Or are you just that good?
(Some of these captchas, I swear...)
I'm glad you got to talk to Mia. We should schedule another time to Skype as well.
ReplyDeleteDo you know why the teacher are changing schools?
Have you asked Randy and the other teachers where to find snack foods and what they eat on a daily basis?
It's pretty funny that you say they pump gas 'like in Oregon'. In fact, that is how all of the country used to be. You'd drive into a 'service station', and they'd wash your windows, check under the hood, and ask if you'd like your oil changed! Having people pump their own gas came with all the other cost cutting measures.
The teachers change schools a lot I guess. I'm not really sure why. Some of them work for the board of education, not the schools themselves, mabe?
ReplyDeleteI haven't asked the others what they eat. I guess I could. Snack foods are so very easy to find. Wayyyy too easy. I love Japanese snacks.
I didn't know that about the gas. Well, I learn 201 new things every day!!!