Update from Japan!

Gabe's taking a nap right now and I'm taking the opportunity to check my emails and provide you some updates. The journey thus far has been rather good. Some snippets here for you.

I've had to have some meals on my own (with gabe in tow of course) while derod is out for work. Japanese eateries are really not so child-friendly -- almost all of them do not have baby chairs. But where I have difficulty, somehow, God provides for very friendly obasan-staff who come over to play with gabe, carry him and entertain him while I settle in my chair and have my meal. He's made many friends thus far.

Many locals ask how old he is, and are usually surprised to learn he's only 8.5 coming to 9 months old. Declarations of "ookii" (meaning: big) to one another can be heard.

We've gone on a 1.5 day trip away from our base at Fuji-city to Ito-city on the Izu Peninsular. Took two hikes and they were most lovely. God also provided travel companions: derod's two colleagues from his department. We drove and everyone enjoyed tremendously. Local roadsigns and directions are very easy to follow. More companions means that our cost could be shared too! A great bonus :) Also great that both companions are parents to two children each, so they can tahan the nonsense from gabe.

On the two hikes we took at Izu, gabe was in a carrier which derod firmly carried like a haversack. No complains from him. He must have enjoyed the journeys too.

Because we've been taking most dinners together, 4 pax plus 1 baby means we normally get a tatami room in restaurants/ eateries versus having to sit at a table or at the counter. Cool!

We've been shuttling between the hotel allocated to derod and the hotel we have to stay in since we didnt manage to get a room upgrade to include us two. The former is a business hotel for one pax, too small to describe, but fit with typical hotel amentities. The latter is a local style tatami room, with futons as beds, and a door in the room which opens up to a large toilet area. Local breakfast and dinner are available on request. Yummy food! We have a clear view of Mt Fuji from our room too! Our room however, is located on level three and derod has to lug our luggages up and down the stairs whenever we check in/ out, which is about ... 3 times? Due to its budget nature, the cleanliness level is also not tip top, but the homey feel and great service make up for it. They even lent derod their bicycle to commute between the two hotels.

My half-past-six Japanese can actually get us somewhere! Though half the time I'm going "I don't understand" and sign language and drawings become quite helpful. Haha!

Weather is lovely, but the nights can be rather cold. We're well equipped and really enjoying the temperatures!

Some photos from the first couple of days:

Just outside of Narita Airport. Waiting for people to load luggage into the bus (in picture). First encounter with local temperatures. Shiok!

Back of Hotel Tamaya, where derod is trying out his new mode of transportation.

View from our room

Along a junction near the train station.

At the Central Park in Fuji City.

Friends at a family-run sushi restaurant. We were the only customers other than two regular customers.