WEEK 2

Flu has struck our house. I think they are calling it Australian flu over here as opposed to the Asian flu as we know it. As a consequence we are all wearing masks, so we do not transmit the infection. Youko, Nana and Urina had flu shots this year but Yoshi did not. No prizes for guessing who got the flu!! As neither Mami nor I have had our shots either, we have been asked to wear masks. I look like a cast member from House!!
When you have an infection in Japan, or are around anyone who does, you end up wearing surgical masks. It is not uncommon to see 30-40% of the population wearing them during winter. We are going shopping soon and I will have to wear mine.
Thank god! Nana has just told me we don’t have to wear the masks when we go shopping. It’s not a good look as the pictures show.



I am sure the Japanese have embraced the ancient Chinese art of foot binding. If you are visiting someone’s house, office or place of work, a change of footwear is required for indoor use. A ready supply of slippers greets you at the door, all of which have been supplied by the children’s department at the local shoe shop. The best I have managed was a pair of slippers whose heal acted as an arch support!! Everyone looks at me in amazement when I arrive, as if I am a distant relative of Big Foot. I am convinced the locals see me coming and hide any big pair they have, so they can piss themselves laughing at the big gaijin (foreigner) as he attempts to walk without falling over.

Rob