konnichiwa

Konnichiwa! Hello from Osaka Japan!

If I thought my head was spinning before I left, I don’t know how to describe it now!  My flight was great, even if being squished into a small seat for 13 hours straight is not ideal.  I watched 5 movies and 3 episodes of Sex in the City and BAMMMM I was in Japan!

Our plane had to circle for 20 minutes due to “congestion” at the airport.  Once off the plane I followed a young Japanese man with bleach blonde hair who I had seen on my flight.  The line for Immigration was really long.  A guy in front of me was from Houston and works for the FDA, here on business to inspect prescriptions we buy from Japan.  35 minutes later I was through and found my bags.  I forgot that entry into a new country is a 2-step process, so I proceeded to Customs.  I was a little worried because I have no ticket out of the country, which is required in many places including China and the Philippines.

My penalty for carrying heavy bags was my purse zipper broke, but even so I lugged my stuff through the airport and found a information desk that directed me to the train station.  I found the ticket counter and easily bought my ticket to Namba.  And there at the end of the line was my sweet daughter waiting for me!  

Katie easily found my AirBnb since it was right by her place.  This host gives you a combination to a lock and voila! there was the key no problem.  Katie helped me turn on the heat and reminded me no shoes in the apartment.  I was already glad I brought my slippers, even though some slippers were provided.  When I went to wash my hands in the bathroom, the water came out in the shower.  I decided I’d figure that out later, but Katie showed me it was a quick flip of a knob.

We walked to a nearby Family Mart and got 2 beers and snacks–my first meal!  Then we ate at Katie’s apartment, which is very small but cozy and cute!  I slept hard for 5 hours then decided to make coffee.  Nespresso coffee makers (sort of like Keurigs) are popular in Europe and apparently Asia, so I was able to have coffee at home.  Next I used the House Manual the host left to figure out the wifi and how to turn on the hot water.  Each thing feels like an accomplishment and soon I was showered and ready to go to the grocery store.

I will admit I was intimidated.  I had a false start when I turned right around and went back inside to add another layer of clothing–breezy and 46 degrees is pretty cold to this Florida girl!  I already could not remember how to get to the store Katie showed me, even though it was only 2 blocks away.  There are no street names or signs in Japan, which is confusing and disconcerting to me.  Nonetheless I found the store without looking at my map.  When the doors to the store wouldn’t open, I noticed a sign that said 0930 on it.  Could it be they don’t open until 9:30 a.m.?  Yep, it was true!  Luckily it was 9:20, so 10 minutes later I was scouting the store for anything familiar.  Ha!  Hardly anything looked familiar!  Finally I noticed a sign over an aisle that had the words “Joyful and Delicious”–I thought great, that’s the aisle for me!  Then I realized every sign said that.  Hmmm.

I wanted to buy cream for my coffee.  I remembered Katie saying they make milk out of everything so just buy the one with a picture of a cow on it.  I noticed a carton that said 100% on it–but 100% of what?  I gave up.  I used my 5,000 yen bill to pay because I was so confused.  They don’t use cards here, only cash.  Following the lead of other shoppers, I took my basket to the counter and bagged my groceries.  When I got home I noticed the clerk had put chopsticks in my bag.

That little excursion itself left me feeling tired–or maybe it was the heat running in the cozy apartment.  I video-called my sister and nephew using WhatsApp, pretty commonly used outside the US.  I opened what I thought was a tube of candy with them helping me guess the contents.  Turned out it was like a 6 inch Cheeto!  Seriously it was the size of a fat cigar.  It crunched like a Cheeto but had an unknown flavor.  Relaxing with my Cheeto and Olympic curling on in Japanese, I took a nap.

Frankly I was tempted to stay in my apartment until Katie got home from work.  I was tired, cold, and nervous about getting lost.  I have never really felt that way before.  In Europe, Mexico, Canada, I somehow felt confident.  But not here.  Hardly anything looks familiar.  I researched the coffee shop Katie told me about and committed that if it was over 50 degrees outside, I’d go.  Lo’, it was 52.  Huh.  Ok, I got this.

The first street included an indoor rock climbing place–whaaaaaaaaaaat!?!?!  Yes, it’s true and no harnesses here–if you fall, you land on mats.  Next I noticed a courtyard with like a job fair or something.  Well I’m no stranger to job fairs, but it seemed like everyone was trying to sell me real estate, or maybe a condo.  We’ll never know.  Next was a vintage clothing store with tons of jackets, including a U.S. Army jacket with the name Bradley over the pocket and a couple medals pinned on.  Finally I smelled coffee and when I turned the corner there was “Brooklyn Coffee.”

I was determined to relax and enjoy my entire cup of coffee there.  The menu was in English, so no problem, but when I turned to find a seat I realized it was huge and packed!  It was 4 times the size of any Starbucks.  But I found a seat at a long table full of people and felt right at home.

Feeling brave, I decided to go back to that grocery and find creamer by golly!  And cereal.  Well, Japanese people would choke if they saw our massive cereal aisle.  Their selection was barely recognizable in bags instead of boxes, with only about 10 brands.  When I saw Tony the Tiger on one I knew I was in the right place.  Then I confidently got the carton with a cow on it and on impulse grabbed what was near the small bread area; wrapped like an Egg McMuffin we will find out what that is tomorrow.  For my smoking friends, I will tell you that each cash register includes a section of cigarettes; a pack of Kools was 450 yen, about $4.50.

Katie’s dad was here over Christmas and warned me about the bikes on the sidewalk.  It was a good thing too.  He said do not move right or left before checking over your shoulder.  And when I was nearly hit by I bike I was glad for the warning–as I’m sure the cyclist was!

Hopefully I won’t ramble on like this day after day, but nearly every single thing was new and surprising today!

Photo:  Entrance to my “home” with convenient drink machine including beer; the machines are everywhere