A Brief Update

Thought I might post a brief update. We have been busy house/apartment hunting, so not a lot to report lately. We had a great weekend, walking great distances, exploring the city, going to see Avatar (3D in English) and window shopping at all the expensive stores in the Ginza area. We went to an antique/flea market, which was fascinating and full of items from both east and west. 

On Monday, we went to the new members reception at the Tokyo American Club. It is in a temporary location while a new club is being built, which will be backing onto the Russian Embassy. The current location is pretty impressive for a temporary site and has a great book/DVD library, lots of classes for language and culture and a very active womens' group. So, once we are officially members, I hope to widen my horizons with new faces and new skills. I hope I can take a language class as my skills are improving just minutely with the Rosetta Stone software that I am using currently.

We are still enjoying exploring the restaurants around the city and, as you can see from the photo above, have had some unusual menu items. Our relocation agent took us to a noodle restaurant for lunch on Tuesday, where you look at small photos on a machine, put in your money and press the button corresponding to your choice. Slightly tricky as the photos were miniscule and the descriptions in Japanese. However, with some assistance, we were able to make our choices. The tickets that are issued from the machine are then given to a waitress, who very quickly brings the food to you. A wonderful, flavorful steaming bowl of noodles with vegetables (me) or meat (Tony) then arrives at the table......and a plastic bib to protect your clothes from all those sloshing noodles. All for $5 each. The restaurant was tiny, but packed with office workers and city workmen alike. 

The house we are leaning towards is called Sakura House (Cherry Blossom House) and is in a great area, near a park and just uphill from the subway station and lots of small shops and restaurants. It is fairly central and will be an easy commute for Tony. However, we are still looking at anything the relocation agent sends our way.

I will add to this post, when I have more time (who thought I could be so busy, so soon).

Love to all,

Julie and Tony