Thank you to the Pelland’s, M. Chadduck’s, Van Horn’s, Milewski’s, Garrett’s, auntie Beth and Jackie who helped us pack the house, provided timely play dates and fed us when our kitchen was boxed. Thank you also to friends, family and neighbors who had us over for dinners and visits prior to our departure. We really appreciate all of your kindness and generosity!
We arrived Thursday, August 13th, 2015 at Kansai International airport. Our baggage made it through to Osaka and we had only one brief delay in Spokane prior to departure. The twelve hour flight to Taipei, Taiwan went quickly and we slept about half of the trip. We are now officially residents of Heguri, Japan and are settling into our new home.
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| Chadduck Family at Kansai International Airport |
Our house has hardwood floors and tatami mats throughout, is very efficient and presently is really hot and humid. We are busy making the house our home, setting up the kids’ rooms, buying a refrigerator, toaster oven and such. I have been startled by a gecko and a large cockroach so far (about two inches in length). I am hoping these critters are only temporary guests.
We sleep on futons, (think camping pads with colorful covers), eat breakfast from our toaster over and drink coffee from our electric kettle. We are grateful to the Dugan’s, Clark’s, Sainio’s and Miss Yamada who have been wonderful helping us get settled. We are a five minute walk to the train station and twenty-five minute walk to school.
We rode the train to Ikoma and met some of our Mukogowa Fort Wright Institute (MFWI) students. It was great to see the students in Japan and catch up. They left the states nine months ago so this was a much anticipated visit. We went out to lunch and they introduced some members of our family to octopus?!
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| Train ride with MFWI students |
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| Trying octopus, she said it was really good?! |
We met a retired neighbor who hosts a conversational English class for the elderly. He offered us a place to live after he realized we were native English speakers. As best we could deduce, if we taught at his English class, he would provide us with a place to live. We thought we must be mistaken but graciously declined and let him know we already have jobs.
The residents are very friendly, striking up conversations and asking where we are from. I am sure this is in part to being in a small community where everyone knows each other. We have been to our classrooms at Kansai Christian School (KCS), City Hall where we registered as residents, and the local bakery about one block from our house. The weather reminds me of Hawaii where it may be pouring rain in the morning and by noon it is muggy, bright and sunny the rest of the day.
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| Kansai Christian School |
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| Bob's homeroom |
I made my first trip to buy groceries and found stuff to make pizza, spaghetti, hamburgers and ham sandwiches. I had trouble finding mayonnaise and to ask a local if I was looking at mayo. After some charades and using what little Japanese vocabulary I have, I was able to decipher I had picked up low fat mayo and traded it out for regular.
We are enjoying the experience and getting use to the weather. I guess it has been unseasonably cool this week and we are appreciating the milder temperatures. I will begin posting updates on a regular schedule once we have internet access at the house. They were able to turn on the power and water the first day we arrived however, apparently it takes about a month to get internet set up.
We are all excited for school to start and get into a routine. In the meantime, we are exploring our surroundings and getting acquainted with our community.
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| Local wildlife are about 10 minute walk from our house |
In Christ,
The Chadducks
