Settling In

Posted on 2005/12/28 14:01:24 (December 2005).

[Wednesday 28th December]
It is a few days now since we moved into our new apartment, and already I am getting quite accustomed to it. This quick acclimitisation may be partly to do with having had a very "nomadic" year - I have hardly stayed in any one place for more than a few weeks at a time, since we moved out of our old flat in Pangbourne back in April.

Our new flat is inbetween Sasazuka and Daitabashi. These place names will almost certainly be meaningless to anyone who doesn't live in Tokyo, a group which probably covers my journal's entire readership! Although Sasazuka is a more major station and gets a better train service, Daitabashi is a shorter walk, so thus far I have used Daitbashi more. Besides, I quite like the atmosphere around Daitabashi, it is a little old and run down but charming in its own way.

Today after returning from work I decided to spend a little time exploring the shops near Daitabashi station. There are a number of bento shops, a branch of Mister Donut, and slightly oddly a toy shop. There's also a Keio store - part supermarket and part department store. I decided to buy a few odds and ends for tonights dinner in there, and also a couple of kitchen implements. I got a vegetable peeler and a sort of slicing/grating tool.

I got back to the flat and started cooking, and on the very first swipe with the new peeler I managed cut my finger. It bled quite a lot, and a makeshift bandage from kitchen towel was latered replaced by a proper plaster.

I mention this because later on that evening we went back to the same shop where I had bought the peeler, in order to buy some beer. I was in fact served by the same woman at the checkout as well. As foreigners tend to stick out like a sore thumb (or indeed a cut finger) I couldn't help but wonder if she noticed the fact that I had bought a peeler earlier on in the evening, and then returned a bit later with a plaster on.

It's a pointless anecdote really, but one which amused me slightly nonetheless.

John, I am interested, how does A&E work in japan, is it free or what? Also can you talk in japanese while your finger is bleeding or do you resort to your native tongue when swearing ?

Posted by Kev at 2005/12/29 24:06:26.

Errr... I think the health system here in Japan is a bit like the US - everyone has health insurance and that pays for some or all of it. I've got some kind of health insurance card which my company gave to me. I can't read it so I don't really know what it's all about, but I am supposed to show it to the doctor and that means I won't have to pay as much, or something. I don't really understand, my plan is just not to have any serious injuries whilst here.

Posted by John at 2005/12/29 13:39:46.

it probably says they can take one of your kidneys if they like.

Posted by Kev at 2005/12/29 13:55:06.

to avoid accidents i suggest doing No diy. get a "little man" in to do any work. power tools and single malt could be a disastrous combination !

Posted by kev at 2005/12/29 13:57:37.

So combining this with your recent comments on the message board Kev, it appears I should do no house work and no DIY whilst here in Japan on grounds of safety...?

I think I could get used to it here.

Posted by John at 2005/12/30 03:44:39.

Yep I think you just about got it.

Posted by Kev at 2005/12/30 13:39:06.

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