New Wheels

Yesterday was a great day. I spent it with Tracey and Mike, toodling aroung Koriyama.

A little background. Tracey and Mike are actually morticians, not teachers like most Gaijins I meet. They have been here for about 8 years and know all the in's and out's. I met Tracey at the Cherry Blossom party a few weeks ago and since then, we can't seem to get enough of each other. Yak yak Yak Yak yak. I'm having one of those rare moments when you meet a new friend and you just click. Thursday, we spent hours basking in the sun (albeit in a parking lot) and exchanging stories, getting to know one another better. Mike doesn't actually live in Koriyama, but he comes up to visit her almost every weekend.

Anyway, they have sort of taken me under their wing and have shown me some second hand shops, import food shops that are actually *reasonably* priced and have warned me about the ever changing price of stamps. I guess the post office can be a little fickle. I actually nibbled on chips and salsa last night! Yay! (you have no idea.)

I'm so glad to have met them, and not just for the bike. THE BIKE! I almost forgot to mention it. One of their co-workers is moving his entire family to a different prefecture and there was a bike up for grabs. It's probably been ridden all of 3 times and it's a little rusty, but it's a mountain bike, bought for $200 and given to me gratis! It was so fun to ride home! I haven't been on a bike since I was probably about 10, mom running behind me assuring me she was still holding on. It's true, you never forget how.

So, I'm mobile now. It is definitly getting warmer. I'm enjoying the breeze while it's still here.

Write soon,
love,
lis.