DAY 12

Excited that it seemed cooler today and it was raining a bit, maybe that's why the sky was brown yesterday. But it still turned out to be muggy and by the time I got to the Tokyo Govt. Office, I was soaked in sweat. I was there to meet my first English conversation class, organised through Tamio, a retired employee. He took me way up in the building, where of course there was another observation deck, then we met with the 20 some women who meet for lunch and English practice with me! It is a long standing position, and I am the 76th artist to be employed. It was only an hour, but good fun, with all the lovely ladies. One woman makeds her own miso paste, cool! They were eating their lunch and I was getting hungry seeing and smelling their delicious home made food. I tell you, putting together lunches here is no slap dash affair. Arrangements in numerous boxes, a bit of this a bit of that, something special. And beautiful. There they were eating in this dingy room with no windows, and I felt sorry. The exterior of the building is all flash, yet the staff only areas are functional and sterile, so utilitarian, but with no pictures, no colour.
I told them about long service leave in Australia, apparently their contracts are not so generous. I am keen to find out what the public service is like for employees here.
After class Tamio generously took me for lunch in the canteen and I had a big bowl of noodle soup with tofu and mushrooms, wonderful. Free green tea is everywhere! He confessed he played the banjo in a bluegrass band, and was off to practice, but frst he took me to a giant electronics store, as I had mentioned I wanted to get a dat recorder. I found a whole pile of them, but only with Japanese instructions, and ranging from $60-$250. Another project.
All in all it was a good day and I feel like each day there are mini achievements, and I am glad for that.
Kampai!