Day 4: part 2

Well, to be able to catch up on everything that has happened since my arrival in Japan 5 days ago, I really should have started writing 5 days ago. So much has happened in these last few days that I hardly know where to begin...

I could begin by saying how much I really like the apartment I am staying in! Everything is so efficient, easy to use, clean looking, etc... I really like the kitchen. Aside from being much smaller than most kitchens I've seen in the States, it is VERY nice. I have heard people say that the counters are lower than those in America, and after doing dishes a couple of times I can affirm that. But then it works well for the Japanese women, who are not quite as tall as I am. There is a large dish drying rack right above the sink that holds all of the drying dishes. The best part of it is that when not in immediate use, it will draw up behind a frosted glass door, and practically disappear. One thing I have noticed is that while the counters are lower, the ventilation hood over the stove is higher than in most American kitchens. I have come close to hitting my head, but been able to avoid it.

Another thing I like is that even the Japanese trash system is organized. In Japan, you do not throw everything away together. There are so many people in Japan that there is no room for trash... Almost all of the trash is recycled. There are three different categories: combustibles, melt-ables, and bottles and jars. I'm told that some of the trash is even composted and used as dirt to form new islands.

Also, there are no slamming kitchen drawers. You can push the drawers in to a certain point and then they retract themselves in the rest of the way....

Well, that is my overview of the kitchen... To put it simply, aside from the size, (Which is alright, I'm just not used to it) I really like the kitchen.

I am out of time for more now, so I will post more when I get the next chance. I really don't know when that will be because my schedule is flexible at this time.

Hannah