Japan - April 1, 2008
Our first full day in Japan. Everything is amazing efficient and quick here. I met up with my employers, and so many more things happened here in one day then would happen in Korea in a week. Basically I have everything moved into my apartment already, had choices of other things I could move in or move out as well, and have been setup with plenty of basic other things that I will need here in Japan as well.
A future co-worker also showed us a great restaurant where I was able to order a pizza for the equivalent of US$4 and other food items for around US$5. I am finding that somewhat rural Japan isnt that expensive compared to the rumor of how expensive it is in Tokyo and Osaka, etc. This town is relatively small for 140,000 people. I have seen a few taxis, but not many. Many people either drive or take bicycles. There are many large types of stores that sell everything, it reminds me of the rural parts of the United States with all the chain restaurants and huge chain department stores. It seems similar to that here. People are significantly different than Koreans, as they are so polite here. People also seem very law-abiding and very, well, just very polite. Maybe it is exceptionally drastic comparing it to Korea where people are very straight-forward and come across much more aggressive in all of their dealings and in their general nature.
Technology is quite impressive. Just little things, like our toilet is in a separate from the shower. When using the toilet, not only is it heated and has many buttons, but when you flush it, water will come out of a faucet at the top of the toilet to wash your hands. The faucet is connected to the toilet, and it will also replenish the water supply in the back while you are also cleaning your hands. In addition, the bathroom door has a little hole near the top (which you cannot see through). Its purpose is to just allow you to quickly see if the light is on or not to know if someone is already in there. In short, at every turn, I am constantly amazed at the technology here.
I have also been to my office, and it is much better and more spacious than my Seoul one. I can actually see myself spending time in my office here easily. I share it with the other two teachers in my same position, but there are laptop computers for each of us, and quite a few other basic supplies.
Tonight we are back at the hotel, and using the many kinds of massage chairs and machines. There are four total in there, and I used three of them. Two are different kinds of feet massaging machines, and the other is a full-body one. They are equivalent to US$1 each, and well worth it! They also have a sauna here, which I used last night, and will probably take advantage of again tonight before we check out tomorrow.
NEXT JAPAN JOURNAL ENTRY:
April 4, 2008
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Wintermoon2@yahoo.com