After a week of training in Osaka, myself and the other ALT's headed off to our place of residence. It was truly a daunting experience trying to commute home using a new transportation system, but luckily, I had company. After several escalators, stairs, and a transfer from one train line to an other, we finally arrived at our destination and into the hot and humid weather. We were both hungry from the trip, so we wondered around aimlessly for somewhere to plop our bums and savor something to hold us over until we made it to our apartments. After five minutes, we asked a lady that was standing outside this nice looking French restaurant for suggestions. She seemed more than happy to walk us down the busy street of cars, people, and petite eateries. After several failed attempts to find a spot that would accommodate us and our luggage, we thanked the lady and preceded to search. After a few minutes, we decided to walk into an Italian restaurant that I remembered us passing a few times. It was a nice medium sized place, with many seats and a bar area. Two women greeted us with big smiles and helped us feel at home. I had pizza because I haven't had it in a while, followed by some Merlot. After what I went through, I felt it was necessary to celebrate. The two ladies asks us many questions, such as where were from, where lived, and what we were doing in Japan.
After we ate, the next thing on our minds were getting futons for our apartments, because I don't think either of us were planning to go exploring after we got settled. Luckily, a nice older Japanese lady overheard our dilemma, and motioned for us to follow her. After my friend and I looked at each other in confusion, the ladies from the restaurant explained in what little English they knew, that we were to follow the woman to a store that sold futons. We were both taken back by her kind offer. We then grabbed our things and followed her to a huge mall that was only three minutes away. She took us a store called Muji, which I was very familiar with, because I worked for a Muji in New York City. I remembered them being more on the expensive side there, but I thought maybe this wouldn't be the case in Japan. I was wrong, but I still ended getting a pillow and a blanket to sleep on for the night until I found a cheaper futon. The lady was so nice that after she dropped us off at the store, she came back maybe twenty minutes later to see if we were fine, then walked us to a taxi station near by, and explained to them where we both needed to go. Till this very day, I hope to run into her at the Italian restaurant so that I can give her a gift for her kindness.
Upon arriving at my Leopalace apartment, I used the key card that was given to me to open the door. Into the darkness I went. The corridor leading to my room was narrow and short, but I expected this. I pressed every single button I could find to turn on the lights, until I read an information pamphlet that explained that the breaker should be next to the front door. I walked back and forth from my room to the door and found NOTHING. After hearing someone outside my apartment, I decided to peek and see who it was. It was a Leopalace representative. Thank Jesus. He helped me find the breaker and I was finally one step closer to having electricity and WiFi! The first of many struggles and been conquered. Now, I was focused on finding a grocery store and some kitchenware. I asked an older foreigner for help and he was nice enough to show me a route, and he also introduced me to his family that has lived in Japan for over ten years. His son owns a English language tutoring service, which is nice. I even got his business card. I found a 100 YEN store and the grocery store that the older man had mentioned after walking ten minutes in the hot sun. I only grabbed toilet paper, detergent, eggs, and some other minor things. I was exhausted and ready to crash for the day. Mind you, by this point, it was probably 4pm. What a day.
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