Wake up time 5:00am. I think this is very good considering my last experience here. Since I normally wake up around 4:00 or 4:30 in the States, this feels pretty normal.

Yesterday started with Chase and I going to the Minato-ku government for our alien cards. We had decided to meet Cliff at his office building since he was forcing one of his employees to act as our interpreter. I highly recommend this because although they say the employees speak English, they don’t seem to understand it very well. Getting to the office was pretty commical because Cliff had given us wrong directions from the subway station so I had to use some Japanese and Chase and I had walk an extra 1/2 mi in sweltering heat and sun.  I can only assume this was something like a 30minute Heat Flash. I looked over at poor Chase and his face was covered in sweat and his shirt was sopping. I have to admit, I was looking very shiney, but not in any positive way. Thank God I was in my workout wear because I was seriously sweaty too. It is awkward talking/asking strangers for directions when you are sweating rivers under your clothing, but the Japanese all seem to be sweating too, so there’s that. Even though I have lived through Georgia Summers, it is probably very comparable to the hottest & muggiest of Georgia days, the big difference is you aren’t hopping in and out of an air conditioned car with each errand. Here, we are walking everywhere and the Japanese are trying hard to conserve energy which usually means very little reprieve.

After getting Chase’s alien card and my temporary card, Chase and I headed to Tokyo American Club. I don’t know what I would do without this outlet. I was hoping to workout with Chase first, but only 16 year old and above allowed in the fitness center.  So I decided to get on a machine and Chase headed for the pool. After I finished I went down to join Chase and he was having a ball.

We ended up coming home around 6pm and it was all I could do to jump in the shower before I passed out on the futon. You can’t walk 3 steps outside before your whole body is drenched and I find I need to rinse off every time I am even near a shower.

Today is our 1st of 2 excursions outside of Tokyo to get away from the emptiness of our apartment and the heat. We are taking the Bullet train aka Shinkansen to Karuizawa. Will try to take some pictures to share.

Until next time…