Toilet

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As you probably know the bath rooms in Japan are basically undersized (definitely for tall Dutch folk) and made out of one plastic mold. That also means that the components are not the sturdiest one can imagine. When we arrived here in October our toilet seat was broken but taped together with a tape more durable than the toilet itself. But alas, that too came to an end. About a month ago it broke and suffices to say it's no longer a pleasure sitting there. Went to the caretaker, kanrinin 管理人 of the building two and a half weeks ago but so far no luck. She claims that she needs to order it via the internet...no you cannot just buy it in a store; dimensions, colour and other specifications have to be in order. She then proceeded to put some non-matching white tape around it as a make do solution. I ask her every monday where the seat is but the answer as always is : it's difficult, isn't it! 難しいね. I wonder if we will ever get a new one before we have moved back to Holland.

The draw for the new appartment had put us in place 52 (right now 47) for one and place 3 (now 2) for the other appartment we wanted. The people before us have now 72 hours to respond and if not than maybe we will hopefully be the proud owners of a new appartment. Have just no idea how many applicants there were but it there must be lots. There must have been thousands if you consider that there are about 50 appartments and at least 50 applicants per appartment .. and they're not cheap either. We must be a rich nation......

Had a small drinking binge last night with Mads, Rudy (both in suits!),Pim and some newly acquired Japanese friends... and guess what no hang-over!!! The picture is a little fuzzy but so was the evening......