First night in my new city - Typhoon!
Today I embark to my new residence. First on the agenda was checking out of our hotel and meeting everyone for the walk together to get our chest cavity check (checking for TB) at the local clinic.
Having set out, the heavens opened and the typhoon weather began in earnest. I managed to snap a picture of the city mascot in between downpours though.
After the clinic, we ambled back in the rain to pick up our bags and head for the trains. Luckily, I got to take my trains with two other ALTs who are living in Shiga prefecture so we had a pleasant trip, racing the typhoon on the Shinkansen (bullet train).
Before long though, it was time to part ways and I waited to meet my in country contact who lives in Hikone/Nagahama area where I'll be living. She can show me to my apartment and get me set up as she has great knowledge of the local area because she is a native Japanese resident. She and I were both a little late but we found each other within a few minutes. She is very friendly and had to battle the rain to go and pick up my key for the apartment. There was also a car waiting for me in the parking lot of the apartment block - a lovely little K Car (compact car to you and me) which is very economical and despite appearances actually fairly spacious! I've heard they do well on fuel too, although one thing that I'll have to get used to is that it is an automatic.
Talking of the apartment - would you like to see a tour, narrated in fantastic style by yours truly? Of course you would! Be forewarned - I have committed the cardinal sin of filming this vertically.
I am the Link - click me!
Once we got into the apartment, we had to go around taking pictures of any damage but the apartment is in pretty good nick! The gasman arrived almost immediately and my contact liaised whilst he set up the gas for me. I was so happy that she was there, I had not one clue as to what he was talking about (apart from that it involved gas)!
After that, we went and bought the futon you can see in my video. It came with all the trimmings, the futon itself, a cover for it, a pillow, a cover for that, a duvet, a cover for that and a blanket. Obviously there is currently no need for the blanket - the duvet is even a bit much! In England, when someone mentions a futon, you either immediately imagine a futon that folds into a sofa when not in use as a bed or imagine a mattress with a wooden frame low to the floor. The futon in Japan is not as it is there - it is just the 'mattress/cushion bit' and not including frame.
I am trying just the futon for now, but can get an optional mattress to put underneath for extra padding if I need some more cushion! We had a meal and she showed me many shopping areas where I could go for food, clothing and electricals. When I said goodbye, I had the basics to spend my first night here and I was in for a good one as the typhoon had finally caught me up and was rolling in, in style. I mentioned it a little in the video - but it really got going when I was trying to drop off to sleep! Safe to say, there was no trying to drive for the first time in that weather!
Having set out, the heavens opened and the typhoon weather began in earnest. I managed to snap a picture of the city mascot in between downpours though.
Before long though, it was time to part ways and I waited to meet my in country contact who lives in Hikone/Nagahama area where I'll be living. She can show me to my apartment and get me set up as she has great knowledge of the local area because she is a native Japanese resident. She and I were both a little late but we found each other within a few minutes. She is very friendly and had to battle the rain to go and pick up my key for the apartment. There was also a car waiting for me in the parking lot of the apartment block - a lovely little K Car (compact car to you and me) which is very economical and despite appearances actually fairly spacious! I've heard they do well on fuel too, although one thing that I'll have to get used to is that it is an automatic.
Talking of the apartment - would you like to see a tour, narrated in fantastic style by yours truly? Of course you would! Be forewarned - I have committed the cardinal sin of filming this vertically.
I am the Link - click me!
Once we got into the apartment, we had to go around taking pictures of any damage but the apartment is in pretty good nick! The gasman arrived almost immediately and my contact liaised whilst he set up the gas for me. I was so happy that she was there, I had not one clue as to what he was talking about (apart from that it involved gas)!
After that, we went and bought the futon you can see in my video. It came with all the trimmings, the futon itself, a cover for it, a pillow, a cover for that, a duvet, a cover for that and a blanket. Obviously there is currently no need for the blanket - the duvet is even a bit much! In England, when someone mentions a futon, you either immediately imagine a futon that folds into a sofa when not in use as a bed or imagine a mattress with a wooden frame low to the floor. The futon in Japan is not as it is there - it is just the 'mattress/cushion bit' and not including frame.
I am trying just the futon for now, but can get an optional mattress to put underneath for extra padding if I need some more cushion! We had a meal and she showed me many shopping areas where I could go for food, clothing and electricals. When I said goodbye, I had the basics to spend my first night here and I was in for a good one as the typhoon had finally caught me up and was rolling in, in style. I mentioned it a little in the video - but it really got going when I was trying to drop off to sleep! Safe to say, there was no trying to drive for the first time in that weather!
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