Yes We Can

We passed our written driving tests!

But we still have the road test to complete on Thursday morning. Neither one of us are ready to drive at all. The instructor of our driving class put the fear of God in us about driving in Japan. Not only are we driving on the "other" side of the road (I don't care what anyone says, I still think it's the wrong side) but there are so many more bikes, scooters and motorcyles than in the states. Accidents here are almost always the fault of the automobile driver.

One interesting thing here is that if you are in an accident and have injured the other party, a "gommen" visit is required. Gommen nasai means "I am sorry" in Japanese. It is customary to call on the person in the hospital whom you've injured with a small gift. (there is even specific etiquette as to the type of gift which is appropriate) When the police are conducting their investigation, they call on the injured party to find out if you have conducted your Gommen call. Then they ask them what they think an appropriate punishment would be. Word is, they usually take into serious consideration the suggestions of the injured person. Wonder how that would work out in the U.S.???

We also have settled on a house! We should be able to move in around Inauguration Day. It is in a town called Oppama-rhymes with Obama coincidetnally. We'll post pictures as soon as we move in. Can't wait to get out of the hotel and get Seamus and Finchy out of Pet Prison.