Suma Beach

Before school started we took the kids to Suma Beach. It is just a small beach here in Kobe on the bay. There are a few beaches like that all within a short train ride. And while they are not the nicest beaches, they are a beach and a great place to people watch.

One thing I have learned in Japan is that anything goes –– including a beauty parlor on the beach.
No one sits in beach chairs here. It is all about these plastic tarps, which are many times blue colored. In fact, just about any outdoor activity you will see people sitting all around on these tarps. I am sure there is some official Japanese term for them, but being a newbie and all I am pretty clueless as to what it is.

I was quite surprised at just how many people were at the beach. You always hear that the Japanese people do not like sun. You would never know that with the mass quantity of people at the beach. Granted, many of the people over the age of 25 had on long sleeve swim shirts and suits. And as you can see, while it was very hot, it was quite cloudy so maybe that made more people come out.

We stuck out like sore thumbs in the sea of Asians, but it is funny as to just how many people came up to us and tried to "talk" to us. Especially the girls talking to Matt and Chris. The conversation almost always went like this:

Japanese Person: Where are you from?
Us: America
Japanese Person: Where in America?
Us: North Carolina
Japanese Person: Ahhh.. North Carolina
Us: Yes, but we now live in Japan... near Mikage.
Japanese Person: Total silence

I am guessing that they are taught in schools how to ask those basic questions and after that we throw them off. It is very cute and I love talking to them as much as we can.

It isn't much, but here is a brief video of the beach. Ignore the annoying commentary.

A Little Bit of Work and a Little Bit of Play

Well in case you were worried, I managed to survive my trip to Hell ( AKA the cell phone store). I did receive 4,000 yen in Visa Gift Cards (which I promptly spent on myself for some kitchen items) and I **think** the shopping certificate is being mailed. It is hard to say considering I had no clue what they told me. But the kids have their phones and that brings much relief in helping my comfort level.

My neighbor offered to help me get Emily's monthly train pass today and then show me some of the cool shopping spots. After we got the train pass she took me to the CHIC office to sign up for my membership and RSVP to some Cocktail and Carpet evening on Valentines Day. I have also decided to take a photography class there. The first one is next Friday and if I like that one there are 3 others I can choose from. I also put my name on the special events committee list. Beth (my neighbor) said it will be fun and a good way to meet other people.

After we did all that we went down to Sannomiya to get a feel for the area and have some lunch. While I have been there a few times already, Beth really showed me everything from "Designer Row" (Prada, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana etc) to some cool department stores to bakeries to 100 Yen stores. We went to lunch at this really yummy place called Mother Moon Cafe. We also scoped out some other places as potential lunch prospects. It was very nice just getting to know Beth and seeing the area.

Next week we may be connecting with another wife who just arrived this week, and I am having coffee (tea for me) with Ilena, a hilarious woman who I only know through blogland. Plus our sea shipment is scheduled to be delivered at 2 pm on Monday (whoo hooo!). So already next week is shaping up to be busy.

I finally feel like an end to all the "paperwork" may soon be in sight. We have started the process for looking at cars (although driving scares the crap out of me here) and I have a stack of expense reports to do. I finally feel like I can start getting connected here, establish a routine and make some friends. Even though its only been 10 days, and I have been busy with all the red tape, I was starting to feel lonely. It is hard when everyone you know is 14 - 15 hours behind you and on the total opposite time schedule. (However I do have to say it has been much easier than I thought to stay in contact).

Tomorrow Matt is off work and the kids will be in school. I am hoping we do something fun, however the forecast is showing 90 percent chance of rain so I won't hold my breath. Rain and walking is not a good combo.

Kiotsukete (Take care!)