I figured I would do a post on our experiences of life in a
traditional Japanese style apartment thus far. Our apartment is located
in Nagoya & is very roomy by Japanese standards - although,
there are a number of things "different" about a Japanese apartment
& everyone is adjusting to these living conditions.
So far, the main points of interest are:
1)
Abram's new house slippers (as you can not wear your shoes inside the
apartment). Lindsey and I have talked about this numerous times -
babies HATE wood floors. He has been a grouchy little guy, slipping and
sliding around on these floors. So, Grammy bought him a little pair of
shoes today at the market (because we have lost all but 1 pair of his
shoes - that is another post (blast those train station elevators)).
What boy would be complete without a pair of Anpanman slippers, right?
Come to think of it . . . he looks a bit like Anpanman & as
such, has received a new honorary Japanese nickname. With his new shoes
(or maybe it's his new nickname?) he is a much happier baby.
2)
Tatami mats. If you're not familiar with these - they are tightly woven
straw mats that cover the bedroom floor - instead of beds, you sleep on
"futon" mattresses on top of the tatami mats. The only "american" bed
in our apartment is the twin in the 2nd bedroom (which we have given to
Brandon's Mom), which means that Brandon, Adison, Abram, and I are all
sleeping in the tatami room together (which is how the traditional
Japanese family also sleeps). Adison is LOVING this - I'm hoping we can
make the transition back to "american" style easily upon return . . .
3)
Toilets. Okay, I know this shouldn't receive it's own category, but it
does - let me explain. The toilets in Japan are equipped with 2 very
unique features: A) they have an exposed water "fountain" above the tank
(not for drinking) that runs after a flush to refill the tank. In
typical "eco" Japanese fashion, it is meant to be used to wash your
hands, and B) shower toilets - I'll leave it at this - the Japanese are
crazy about their bidet / back side sprayers; they are everywhere.
4) Appliances. We have a college sized mini-fridge (they say it's normal
sized here), a washing machine but no drier (again, supposedly normal),
and a whole array of small appliances for food prep (rice cooker, hot
water pot, toaster oven, and microwave) - and thank goodness, as the
"stove" is really just a glorified camp stove with 2 gas burners on a
cabinet about 2 feet tall & just begging for an innocent 1 year
old passerby to scorch himself with. As you can imagine, I do all dinner
prep during nap time.
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| Happy sleeper |
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| My little Anpanman |
