Neighbors

We are moving tomorrow!  Why?  Because we are overachievers.  It's not enough to come halfway across the world to live, work, and go to school.  We have to be in a prime location too.  We have to be within walking distance to a 24-hour supermarket that sells, wine, cheese, and cured meats.  We have to live near a park so we can go for runs have picnics.  The list goes on and on.

So we took advantage of some discounted rent (due to all those foreigners who fled Japan).  After tomorrow night, we'll be living in Nishi-Shinjuku.  I'll be sure to report more on the new 'hood shortly.  For now, I'd like to pay homage to the neighbors I've come to know and love here in good ol' Motohasunuma.

As Bob would say, these are the people in the neighborhood:

Yakitori guy- I'll miss the wonderful smell of chicken skewers grilling every night.  You always smile and say "konichiwa" when I see you.  Sometimes you offer a beer.  We've never taken you up on it, but I'll miss you!

The little old lady who lives in the end unit- You are such a stickler for the trash rules!  You are often seen hunched over, sorting plastic, glass, aluminum, and cardboard.  I'll never know if you do this of your own accord, or if you are some sort of designated trash official.  Carry on good woman!

The Ramen Shop couple- You served me my first meal in Tokyo.  For that, I'll always be grateful.  I'll also miss watching Mrs. Ramen Shop cleaning the windows with steaming hot water every Tuesday and Thursday morning. 

The guy who wears all black and sleeps standing up at the station entrance- You scare me a little, but I've grown accustomed to you.  I hope you make it safely back to your own bed.

Mamasan- While we only ate at your restaurant once, you'll always be Mamasan to me.  You fry your tempura with care, and you put your customers to work getting beer glasses.  You seemed to genuinely care for our enjoyment, and I really liked the meal.

The Magogin (small grocery store) cashiers- You always speak such long polite sentences to me.  This is especially appreciated even after I had you ring up the order 4 different times because I didn't have enough to money to buy everything I put in my basket (I didn't need those taco flavored chips anyway).  Your patience is a virtue!

The little old lady who screams at everyone- You are not to be confused with the lovely trash lady.  You are scary and mean, and you yell at everyone.  I'll never forget how you shocked me the first time your screams were directed at me.  I'm sorry if I walked too close to you on the sidewalk.  I didn't know it was your sidewalk.  Now I know.   

There are many others I will miss, but these are just a few of the people in my neighborhood...the people that I meet each day!

So long, neighbors!