Where am I Anyway?

I live on Rokko Island, a manmade island which is in Kobe, Japan.  Kobe is in the Hyogo prefecture.*

My knowledge of Japan is limited right now to that of Rokko Island.  That is as far as I have ventured alone.  It is a fairly small island and tomorrow I hope to run the 5K green belt that circles around it. 

Rokko Island is a very easy place to live as an American. There is a Subway, Wendy's, McDonald's, and Starbucks.  We are not roughing it here.  There are multiple grocery stores, restaurants, and shops. Yesterday I went to the 100 Yen store, the Japanese equivalent of the Dollar Stores, but there seemed to be a much better selection of merchandise at the 100 Yen store. I only purchased a Coke Zero though. I will pace myself. 

Throughout the Island there are waterways that are just a few inches deep with fountains. Children are welcomed to play in the waterways during the hot, sticky summer and there are a lot of children on the Island.  There is an international school here where most of the expat kids attend.  

Yesterday, in addition to my trip to the 100 Yen store, Sean and I went to lunch with a friend. Many Japanese restaurants are literally holes in the wall and I mean that in a kind way.  The restaurant we went to yesterday had seating inside for about eight people.  Also, in Japan they do not have high chairs or the ones they do have do not have any straps. Sean sat next to me in the booth with my leg serving as the strap holding him down.  

I ordered a set meal.  A "set" meal is kind of like a value meal minus the drink.  I had ramen noodles with rice and gyoza.  The ramen was not your typical college kid variety. It was delicious. Gyoza  are wanton dumplings filled with tasty treats and they are either fried or boiled. The ones I had were boiled.   Delicious or "Oishii" in Japanese. 

I have struggled to get Sean eating solid foods in the US but he went crazy for the Ramen yesterday.  He kept sipping the broth and chewing the noodles. Pretty darn cute. I am sure that the Ramen had something in it (salt) that he should not have, but whatever.  

The Japanese love children and in the restaurant they gave him little papers with cute cartoon characters on it.  The cook was quite pleased that Sean was digging the grub.  

We are settling into the Island although the apartment is not unpacked.  I need some friends, play dates, and babysitters so that is the next task. 

*I edited this entry because some of the information was incorrect. I am learning.