apartment 3

Konnichiwa from Tully’s Coffee!  This may be my new favorite hangout for the next month, since I was able to get on wifi and send emails.  Let’s see if it it works for a brief update.

I got moved into my new apartment yesterday.  This move went completely smoothly.  The host simply left the door unlocked and key on the table, and I arrived at prearranged time.  It usually is pretty easy, which was why the last one shocked me so much.  But that host apologized and I’m sure will correct it for the future.

This apartment is in Namba.  The area looks very “Japanese” but is obviously full of tourists.  Most are Asian but more and more from Europe and North America.  I’m excited to be in my new neighborhood.  I don’t exactly blend in, but don’t feel like I need to go out in disguise either haha!

Last night I met my new friend from Australia for dinner.  We went to a sushi restaurant where you sit at a counter and there is a conveyor belt with sushi choices moving on it.  It was perfect because there were 2 pieces on each little plate so we tried many selections.  When you are done, they count the different colored plates which represent the  price. They were not the typical sushi rolls I’ve had in the US, but more rice rolls with raw fish or a vegetable.  One was definitely chopped up octopus or some unknown chewy thing and it was very good!

We walked around and got some souvenirs because she is leaving today.  We hope to meet up again in her next city.  People come and go pretty quickly around here!

My new apartment is bigger than the last, but so far every apartment I have seen has been quite sparsely furnished.  I have read about Americans and their desire for excellent “comfort.”  We have to have the perfect pillow, mattress, sheets, towels.  We have many conveniences in our homes.  These apartments have not included places to put your stuff in the bathroom, even though there is space, or even something as simple as a towel rack or hook.  In the US we would have double sinks!  It does take some getting used to, but it has made me think I want to continue to keep things a little more minimalist when I get back home.

Ok I am going to keep this brief so I can try posting it.  I am working without a mouse which will make Katie very proud!  Trying to look like Carrie Bradshaw writing at the coffee shop!

Photo:  Blogging at Tully’s Coffee, Namba