We moved to Japan in early April 2004, staying at Fumie's folks' place in Hirakata-city, an hour south of Kyoto. Fumie had arranged an apartment prior to arriving, so once we were over jet lag sufficiently to move, we started the process of building a new life.
This was prior to my having started a blog, but for the first couple of weeks I kept an “on-line diary”, half for my family in The States to read, and half for my own memory. It apparently didn't work well for the latter goal, because I forgot about it until I ran across it today.
18-Month-Old Anthony
Unhappy With His New Boots
A week after we moved to Kyoto
For posterity, I've gone and injected these diary-like daily accounts into my blog with the April 2004 dates appropriate to the days they cover. It's pretty boring reading, but those with insomnia may wish to peruse them.
Getting Settled In Japan:
- April 12, 2004: Buying a Fridge, etc.
- April 13, 2004: Cell Phones and Air Conditioners
- April 14, 2004: Washer/Dryer and Microwave Oven
- April 15, 2004: Moving Day
- April 16, 2004: Alien Registration, Bicycles, etc.
- April 17, 2004: Random Errands
- April 18, 2004: Lazy Day
- April 19, 2004: Air-Conditioner Install
- April 20, 2004: Nanzenji
- April 23, 2004: Bike Ride and Furniture Shopping
- April 24, 2004: More Furniture Shopping
- April 25, 2004: Temples and Pink-Eye
- April 26, 2004: A Day Off with Daycare
Hirakata-shi … makes me feel nazukashii because that’s where I first stayed when I arrived in Japan about 25 years before you (room&board in exchange for teaching English — I soon found a better-paying job). I still remember the September heat and humidity and the amazingly noisy cicadas — and the smell of the open sewers (not as bad as one might expect, probably due to the Japanese diet).
By the way, it’s only half an hour from Hirakatashi to Sanjo Kyoto by Keihan express. I made that trip many many times.
I didn’t find the diary boring but then again I have to admit that I suffer from insomnia – and Kyoto nostalgia. But still I probably wouldn’t read all that if I hadn’t had the chance to get to know you and your son!