Uniquely Japan

More and more, Japan is feeling like home. As it does, we begin to appreciate some of the little things that we don't see in the United States.

For example, note the blind street coming in from the right. This is a very typical thing because they build their houses right to the edge of the street.

You can notice that there is a large convex mirror across the street from the intersection but at this distance, we're still to far away to see much.

As you get closer the view changes and you can see aproaching dogs, motor scooters, and other vehicles as they come in from the side. This time it's all clear and we can proceed to the next one that is down the street next to the white building.

Japanese drives are excellent backers who would rather back into a parking space than pull in forward. When you come to a parking lot, the cars almost always face out. In our parking lot we are assigned a specific space and I don't think that we could get into it without great difficulty if we didn't back in. I'll never be good at it, but by turning down the side mirror and having my companion give directions, we can get into our assigned space with about 18 inches left on each side.

The first time I drove, I think that I missed one or two of these red triangles. Evan may be the only one in the family who know what it is, but take a guess. We told our English class to describe the red triangle and they looked at us like we were crazy. Instead they described the red circle with the blue center, which limits parking and the sign below it that says only motor scooters can park here. At least that's what the English class said. Neither of us can read it yet.

This week's blog is a little bit early since the next 10 or 12 days will be much busier than usual. President and Sister Miyashita had the moving van come today and will leave on Monday morning. President Miyashita needs to sign the month-end reports before he goes and two of the wards in Sendai are planning big farewell programs for them on the weekend. They are highly appreciated and loved by the people here. President and Sister Tateoka arrive about 5 p.m. on Saturday by shinkonsin (bullet train) from Tokyo. They are currently spending a couple days with the area presidency in Tokyo before they come here. They'll try to get settled and then visit all 3 districts next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Hotel week is the following week with 12 missionaries going home and 10 new ones arriving. Ruth and Sister Tateoka will need to buy the food for all of them and get it prepared after we get back from the zone conferences. We're having a great time, but there is always something to do.

Love Mom and Dad