Tokyo - end of week one

I guess you could argue that we arrived just over a week ago, but it is close enough. In any case, it is probably time for an update on things.

Saturday and Sunday we looked at apartments and houses. All pretty much on the southern and western sides of central Tokyo. We started the first day with a nice little house - nice neighbourhood and layout. But a little in need of care and attention. We mostly saw apartments for the rest of the time. Most were in low blocks - 3-6 floors. This makes up most of Tokyo. I believe it has to do with earthquakes, and only more recently built places in higher.

I went to work on Tuesday (Monday was a public holiday ) while Sonia fly back to Hong Kong and then on to Bangkok. First day at work was pretty normal - ease into things, lunch with the team, that sort of thing. Wednesday went similarly, although I have been working to prepare for the first trip, which is to Dubai for a workshop with the team for middle east and south asia. This will be the week after next. I had not realised that it took so long to get there - from Tokyo to Hong Kong is over 6 hours, then to Dubai another 9 (if memory serves).

Thursday morning I went back out to look at a few apartments, and found a couple that were nice. We ended up with 3 choices, and have passed them over to the company to negotiate with the landlords. They basically sort the best deal they can, then come back to me to agree before they sign the contract. Very helpful.

Went for a run last night, as the current apartment does not have a gym. Sore legs this morning! I guess I used muscles that I have not used in a while. Running is interesting - it was very cold (13 degrees in the apartment when I got up this morning) so there was very little sweating involved until I got back to the apartment. And it was a little windy as well. Makes it challenging when you are waiting at a crossing for the lights to change...

Breakfast this morning is Starbucks while waiting for church to start.

One last thing - I had forgotten about Tokyo weather. For some reason it seems like it is either really good (bright blue sky now) or proper rain. Not much in between. And not like Hong Kong's continually polluted skies. Yay!