13.3.2010
ここ最近、毎日午後から教育実習生によって行われる無料授業に出席している。現在の自分のレベルはプレ・インターミディエイトだが、今月末のレベルアップテストに合格した後すぐに授業についていけるように、一つ上のインターミディエイトを選択している…が当然自分以外の生徒は皆、上のレベルなのでついていくのが精一杯…でも、やりがいはある。
先週、このクラスの生徒何人かに誘われ、一緒にカフェで話す機会を得る（仕事と掛け持ちの生徒がほとんどなので、大抵は授業が終わると皆すぐ帰ってしまう）。そのうちの一人（トルコ人男性）との会話の中で、彼が祖国でグラフィックデザイナー（兼イラストレーター）をやっていたことが判明。自分も以前同じ職についており、しかも仕事内容もほぼ同じ（旅行パンフレットやポスター）だったので、何だか仲良くなる。驚いたのは、トルコではマッキントッシュ１台（デザイナーの必需品）が車1台と同じ金額で売られている！高級品にも程がある。当然彼は会社でしか使用していなかったようだ。
それまで何となく、外国のデザイナーはきっと人としてまともな就業時間で働いていたり、あるいは日本のデザイナーよりは多めに休暇を取ったりしているんだろうか…などとボンヤリ想像していたのだが、どうも彼の話によるとトルコにはそんな悠長な条件で働いているデザイナーはいないらしい。が、これは大変興味深い話である。食事を２～３分で済ませるイタリア人や徹夜で働くスペイン人なんて想像もつかないが、実際どうなんだろうか。機会があれば是非伺ってみたい。
彼はカーデザイナーになりたいと話しており（１０年以上トルコ芸術とデザインの勉強をしている！）、自分はそのジャンルのデザイナーと会うのはこれが初めてだったので是非彼の作品を見たいと頼み、自分の今描いているステッカー（同じクラスの友達の名前）を見せることも約束する。次回彼がどんな作品を持ってくるのか楽しみではあるが、同時に自分の作品が一笑に付されないことを祈る。
These days, I’ve been attending the Free lessons which are held by trainee teachers every afternoon. Even though my present level is Pre-intermediate, I’ve chosen Intermediate classes. I thought it would be good practice for me before taking the exam to move up to the next level at the end of this month. It’s a bit tough for me because there are no students of the same level as me, but fine.
Some of my classmates invited me to go to a café after class last week. I hadn’t told anyone very much about myself until then, so it was a good opportunity to.
One of them, who comes from Turkey, was a Graphic designer (and an illustrator) when he stayed in his country. We became friends soon because my former job was also the same, and both of our main work was in the travel field of advertisements such as leaflets or posters. I was so surprised when he said a Mackintosh laptop (an essential tool for a designer!) is the same price as a car in Turkey!! How expensive it is!! So he’s only used his company one, of course.
I’d somehow imagined that a foreign designer would have better working conditions than a Japanese one. But I immediately realized that there is no designer in such a blessed situation anywhere around the world… Yet it was a really curious story. Just because I can’t imagine an Italian who finishes lunch in 2-3 minutes or a Spaniard who works overnight, what are the facts? I want to ask their designers if I have a chance.
While we were talking, he said that he wanted to be a car designer (he’s studied Turkish traditional arts and design for over 10 years!). I asked him to show me his work, and also promised to show mine: I’ve been drawing name stickers of my friends since 3 days ago.
It was the first time I met a mechanical designer, so I’m looking forward to seeing his works next time. And I hope he doesn’t laugh when he sees my pictures!
2010年3月20日土曜日
2010年3月17日水曜日
本屋を探して２時間超/Looking for the book store for 2 hours
6.3.2010
１０月のケンブリッジ検定（超難関ではあるが生涯有効な英語能力の資格が得られる）に向けて今から勉強すべく、どうしたもんかと先生に相談したところ、試験対策クラスもあるが今のレベルではまだ受講不可能なので、試験対策の参考書を買って自主勉強することを薦められる。
午前中、バスに乗ってChairing Cross駅へ。「Foylesならいろんなジャンルの本が豊富に揃っているよ」と教えてもらった駅近辺にあるというと本屋を探す…が、住所を調べ忘れるという致命的ミスを犯した為、会う人ごとに尋ねて道案内を乞う羽目になる。
「この辺にあるFoylesって本屋を知っていますか？」「この道をまっすぐ行って右だよ」…見当たらない。
「この辺に（以下同文）」「Chairing Cross Roadを１０分くらいまっすぐ歩けば見つかるよ」…Central roadと間違え、ピカデリー周辺をさ迷う。
「この辺に（以下同文）」「ああ、地図で説明するよ。Tottenham Coart駅からこう行って…」…Chairing Cross駅じゃない？！
２時間後、ようやく探し当てたFoylesは確かにChairing CrossにあったがTottenham Coart駅もほぼ目の前だった。しかしながら散々迷ったおかげでDavidoff（有名葉巻ブランド）の店を発見したり一休みにパブで一杯引っ掛けたり、周辺の地理を把握したので次回からの散策はより楽になると思われる。
そして何よりFoylesは本好きの自分にとって気絶しそうな程の魅力的な蔵書を揃えていた。友達とのくだらない会話の中で時々宝くじ（３億円）の使い道の話が出るが、ここの本屋の本を好きなだけ買うというのも選択肢の一つに加えてもいいだろう。残ったお金は…神田の神保町の古本屋街に行って、その後の蔵書の収納場所の維持費とロマネコンティ数本で軽く吹き飛びそう。
目的の参考書だけではやはり収まらず、イギリスに来てから買おうと決めていたランボーの詩集（英訳版）と、思いがけず発見してしまったジョージ・オーウェルの「Homage to Catalonia(日本語題：カタロニア賛歌)」と「Books v. cigarettes」も購入。ホクホクで家路につく途中、ホストファミリーの娘（長女）と会い、今日の出来事を報告。彼女は自分が購入した本を見るなり、「ゴールダーズグリーンの本屋行ったことある？あそこだと本が半額ぐらいで買えるよ」…そこに自分の求めていた本がないことを信じたい。
I determined to take the Cambridge Exam while I'm staying in London but my English level is still not enough to, so I asked my teacher how I should study.
She suggested to me to buy a text book for the exam and also mentioned a book store named "Foyles", with plenty of English books.
I went to Charing Cross station by bus this morning, and then I realised that I hadn't reconfirmed the address.
But this was an ordinary thing for me, so I started to ask for directions from whoever I met on the way to the store.
Each person told me a dofferent way, yet all of them were collect.
It could have about 10 minutes from trafalger Square on foot, unless I didn't understand direction from charing cross street or Central street.
But I got to the book store 2 hours later.
Yet thanks to events I found Dubidoff (a well-known ciger brand)shop, and also took a rest in a nice pub with a glass of beer and freshly-baked sausage sandwiches for a while. And also I think the happnings will help me my shopping next time.
Let's get back to the subject.
I finally reached "Foyles", and was surprised by the numerous collection of books.
It was a paradise for the maniac (It's been since childhood. My teacher used to send a letter to my mother every term when I was in the kindergarden. Writtten:Please tell her to play with friends instead of reading)!
The graphic collection, Cook books and Gardening corners were especially full of variety!!
By the way, some of my close friends and I have often talked about ridiculous things: "What would you do if you got a Jackpot (3 billion yen=about ￡2 million)?"
I have many dreams if this were true, and another thing would be added :buying whichever books I wanted at Foyles (then I would go to Jinbo-town in Kanda where there is a place as famous as the Book Street, to do tha same, and then build my small private library, spend my lifetime reading and drinking Romanee Conti... The money would run out soon).
I bought a text book which the staff recomended, but this store was too fascinating to leave too soon.
I unexpectedly found a corner of George Orwell (an English auther)and Auther Rimbaud (a French poet):I've been looking for both of their works since I came to London.
I bought 2 booksof Orwell's: "Homage of Catalonia" and " Books v.cigarettes", and 1 collection of poems of Rimbaud's: "AUTHUR RIMBAUD complete works (transraytted by Paul Schmidt)".
I was very happy I wanted to sing.
And I met one of my host ssisters on my way to my host house.
I talked about my trip and books to her.
She seemed to think of something, and asked me if I'd ever been to a book store in Golders Green Street which sold books even cheaper... I want to believe there are no books which I've already looked for.
１０月のケンブリッジ検定（超難関ではあるが生涯有効な英語能力の資格が得られる）に向けて今から勉強すべく、どうしたもんかと先生に相談したところ、試験対策クラスもあるが今のレベルではまだ受講不可能なので、試験対策の参考書を買って自主勉強することを薦められる。
午前中、バスに乗ってChairing Cross駅へ。「Foylesならいろんなジャンルの本が豊富に揃っているよ」と教えてもらった駅近辺にあるというと本屋を探す…が、住所を調べ忘れるという致命的ミスを犯した為、会う人ごとに尋ねて道案内を乞う羽目になる。
「この辺にあるFoylesって本屋を知っていますか？」「この道をまっすぐ行って右だよ」…見当たらない。
「この辺に（以下同文）」「Chairing Cross Roadを１０分くらいまっすぐ歩けば見つかるよ」…Central roadと間違え、ピカデリー周辺をさ迷う。
「この辺に（以下同文）」「ああ、地図で説明するよ。Tottenham Coart駅からこう行って…」…Chairing Cross駅じゃない？！
２時間後、ようやく探し当てたFoylesは確かにChairing CrossにあったがTottenham Coart駅もほぼ目の前だった。しかしながら散々迷ったおかげでDavidoff（有名葉巻ブランド）の店を発見したり一休みにパブで一杯引っ掛けたり、周辺の地理を把握したので次回からの散策はより楽になると思われる。
そして何よりFoylesは本好きの自分にとって気絶しそうな程の魅力的な蔵書を揃えていた。友達とのくだらない会話の中で時々宝くじ（３億円）の使い道の話が出るが、ここの本屋の本を好きなだけ買うというのも選択肢の一つに加えてもいいだろう。残ったお金は…神田の神保町の古本屋街に行って、その後の蔵書の収納場所の維持費とロマネコンティ数本で軽く吹き飛びそう。
目的の参考書だけではやはり収まらず、イギリスに来てから買おうと決めていたランボーの詩集（英訳版）と、思いがけず発見してしまったジョージ・オーウェルの「Homage to Catalonia(日本語題：カタロニア賛歌)」と「Books v. cigarettes」も購入。ホクホクで家路につく途中、ホストファミリーの娘（長女）と会い、今日の出来事を報告。彼女は自分が購入した本を見るなり、「ゴールダーズグリーンの本屋行ったことある？あそこだと本が半額ぐらいで買えるよ」…そこに自分の求めていた本がないことを信じたい。
I determined to take the Cambridge Exam while I'm staying in London but my English level is still not enough to, so I asked my teacher how I should study.
She suggested to me to buy a text book for the exam and also mentioned a book store named "Foyles", with plenty of English books.
I went to Charing Cross station by bus this morning, and then I realised that I hadn't reconfirmed the address.
But this was an ordinary thing for me, so I started to ask for directions from whoever I met on the way to the store.
Each person told me a dofferent way, yet all of them were collect.
It could have about 10 minutes from trafalger Square on foot, unless I didn't understand direction from charing cross street or Central street.
But I got to the book store 2 hours later.
Yet thanks to events I found Dubidoff (a well-known ciger brand)shop, and also took a rest in a nice pub with a glass of beer and freshly-baked sausage sandwiches for a while. And also I think the happnings will help me my shopping next time.
Let's get back to the subject.
I finally reached "Foyles", and was surprised by the numerous collection of books.
It was a paradise for the maniac (It's been since childhood. My teacher used to send a letter to my mother every term when I was in the kindergarden. Writtten:Please tell her to play with friends instead of reading)!
The graphic collection, Cook books and Gardening corners were especially full of variety!!
By the way, some of my close friends and I have often talked about ridiculous things: "What would you do if you got a Jackpot (3 billion yen=about ￡2 million)?"
I have many dreams if this were true, and another thing would be added :buying whichever books I wanted at Foyles (then I would go to Jinbo-town in Kanda where there is a place as famous as the Book Street, to do tha same, and then build my small private library, spend my lifetime reading and drinking Romanee Conti... The money would run out soon).
I bought a text book which the staff recomended, but this store was too fascinating to leave too soon.
I unexpectedly found a corner of George Orwell (an English auther)and Auther Rimbaud (a French poet):I've been looking for both of their works since I came to London.
I bought 2 booksof Orwell's: "Homage of Catalonia" and " Books v.cigarettes", and 1 collection of poems of Rimbaud's: "AUTHUR RIMBAUD complete works (transraytted by Paul Schmidt)".
I was very happy I wanted to sing.
And I met one of my host ssisters on my way to my host house.
I talked about my trip and books to her.
She seemed to think of something, and asked me if I'd ever been to a book store in Golders Green Street which sold books even cheaper... I want to believe there are no books which I've already looked for.
2010年3月10日水曜日
理想部屋、発見/ Finding out my ideal flat
3.3.2010
ホームステイの契約が４月２４日で終了するので、その前に部屋を見つけておかないと…と思い、ここ最近学校の掲示板やインターネットで色々探していた。先週の日曜日、ホストマザーの紹介で同じ学校の女生徒（自分が来る前、同じホストハウスに住んでいた）と会い、彼女がネットで探してくれた物件の一つが良さげだったのでチェック。
２日前、その大家と連絡を取る。夕方、先方の仕事が終わるのを待って最寄りの地下鉄駅で待ち合わせ。待っていたのは若い女性（後に大家の娘さんと判明）で、彼女の車に乗って部屋の見学へ行く。着いた先は大きな集合住宅ビル。１階の入り口はオートロックで、部外者は入れないようになっている。エレベーターで６階へ昇り、いよいよ部屋へ。
ドアを開けると正面に廊下があり、右側に２部屋、正面に１部屋、左側はキッチンとバスルーム。右手入り口側の１部屋が空いており、中へ入るとそれほど広くはないものの、奥にセミダブルベッド、洋服箪笥、鏡付きの机、椅子。壁には据付の棚が２つ。気になるコンセントは…５個！充分。テレビはガレージにしまってあるが、持ってきて個人的に使えるとのこと。キッチン・冷蔵庫・洗濯機・バスルームは共有。その他住民税・光熱費・水道代・電気代・暖房費・ワイヤレスインターネット代等、全て込みで１週間￡８５。
立地も上々。治安は比較的良く、日本人が多く住んでいる。敷地のすぐ目の前にバス停があり、学校までは約１５分弱。最寄りの地下鉄駅も歩いて１km程。近所には大きなTESCO（スーパーマーケット）、カフェ、日本食材店などもあり、文句なし。
今のところ同居人は大家の娘さんと先月から住み始めた中国人の女の子（語学留学生）の二人。中国人の子の部屋にはプライベートのバスルームがあるので、風呂の時間はあまり気にしないで済みそう。心配していた冷蔵庫も３人で使うには充分な大きさで、しかも２人ともほとんど料理はしないらしい。やった！ほぼ自由に料理できる！！女友達は部屋に呼んでも構わないが、男友達や彼氏はトラブルの元になるので出入り禁止。部屋では禁煙だけど飲酒は…OK！引越し記念にスコッチウイスキーでも買おうかしらん。
この理想の物件を手中に収めるべく、早速交渉…敷金は１ヶ月分、最低でも３ヶ月住むことが条件。入居日は…２週間後？！まだホームステイ７週間残っているのに？でも諦めたくない。向こうも日本人学生（基本的に大人しく、部屋を汚さない）には好意的だし。
ホストハウスに戻り、ファミリーに相談。即座に敷金１ヶ月は高すぎるとの指摘を受ける（敷金は１～２週間分が妥当）。タダでさえイギリスでは基本的に敷金は戻って来ないのに大損だとも言われたが、日本では敷金に加えて礼金も各１ヶ月分払うし、それが返って来ないのは別に珍しくない（のであまり重大問題だとは思えない）…と一応説明してみたが、あっさり流され、習慣の違いを肌で感じる。
確かにホストハウスとの契約を中途解約してしまうと、その分のお金は戻って来ないし、加えて新部屋の敷金を払うのは痛い…が、こんな理想部屋がそう簡単に見つかるとは思えないし、日本式の払い方で考えれば惜しくはない、というか自分にとっては補って余りある物件である。
翌日（３月２日）、学校の日本人スタッフ（林さん）に相談してみる。そして紆余曲折すること丸１日。予想外の幸運な偶然が重なって、何とか３月２０日に引越しすることが今日決定。今年の正月におみくじを引いたら「大事な事は人に任せて吉」と出たが、どうやらこれは当たったらしい。関わった全ての人に感謝の日。
Recently, I’ve been looking for a flat: checking the information put on the notice board of my school, surfing the internet. That’s because the term of contract between my host family and me, will finish on 24th of April.
Last Sunday, I met a Japanese female student at my host house by my host mother’s introduction. And she goes to the same school as me! She is an ex-student of my host house, so my host mother asked her if she could help me with my problem.
We’ve become friends quickly. Recently she showed me a piece of paper with some information for a flat, so that I could check it.
Two days ago, I made contact with the owner, and arranged to meet. In the evening, I was standing in front of the nearest station of the flat, waiting for the owner’s after work.
The owner was a young woman (actually, she was the daughter of the owner) and she came to pick me up. I got in her car, and then went to check the flat. There were some big buildings like a condominium. The entrance had a self-locking system, so no outsider can enter. We took elevator to the 6 floor, then entered in.
There was a short corridor in front of us when we opened the door, 2 rooms on the right side. 1 room at the end of the corridor, and kitchen and bathroom on the left. The first room on the right side was vacant, we entered there. I thought it wasn’t that big but big enough. A semi-double bed was at the end of the room, a wardrobe was beside the bed, a dressing table and a chair were next them. 2 shelves were on the left side of the door.
The sockets were… 5 of them! That’s enough. According to the owner, they have a small TV in their garage, but I can use it, if I want to. The kitchen, the fridge the washing machine and the bathroom are shared.
The flat rent is ￡85/pw including the council tax, electricity, water, heating and wireless-internet fees.
The place is also nice. It is comparatively safe; therefore many Japanese are living the area. A bus stop is in front of the flat, so that I can get to school in 15 minutes. The nearest tube station is about 1km on foot. And more, a huge size TESCO (a kind of supermarket), café and Japanese food store are around there. It is literally perfect for me!
For the time being, there are 2 flat mates: the owner’s daughter and a Chinese girl, studying English. The student’s room has a private bathroom, which means I wouldn’t be worried about the time if there were 2 users. My No.1 worry was the fridge, but it has enough space for 3, and moreover, 2 of them seem to hardly ever cook (in fact, there was nothing in the fridge). Yeah! I can freely cook whatever!!
And, there were some rules: It’s no problem to invite friends except boy or guy, even lover (they might cause trouble for other flat mates). And it’s No smoking, but… not No drinking! I wonder which Scotch whisky or what; I should buy for the memory of move?
I immediately asked the owner to secure my ideal flat… he told me the terms: to pay the deposit for a month, and to stay there at least 3 months, and that I could move in… 2 weeks later?! How could I move even though my term of the host house still has 7 weeks left? However, I didn’t want to give up easily. The owner was favorable towards a Japanese student (basically we have calm character, and keep rooms tidy) as well.
After that, I went back to my host house, and asked my host family. I pointed out that it was too expensive to pay a deposit of 1 month’s rent (the appropriate fees is of 1~2 weeks in England). They advised me not to waste the money and to consider that too.
I know I’m spontaneous, and they’re good-hearted. Yet, in Japan, it’s ordinary: the owner of the apartment demands a deposit and key money (reward) of one month’s rent, and it’s hardly ever paid back. That’s what I tried to explain to my host family just to make sure, but it seemed out of the question for them. I thought it wouldn’t so easy to find another flat like this again.
The next day (2nd of March), I asked one of the school staff what I should do. And then, the problem was churning in my head the whole day.
Anyway, it was decided today that I’m going to move on 20th of March.
By the way, I’ve drawn a fortune slip in this New Year’s Day. Written on it: “You’d be better to entrust the important decisions to people around you”. This has turned out to be true, somehow. Today, I appreciated all of the people involved in helping me with my problem.
ホームステイの契約が４月２４日で終了するので、その前に部屋を見つけておかないと…と思い、ここ最近学校の掲示板やインターネットで色々探していた。先週の日曜日、ホストマザーの紹介で同じ学校の女生徒（自分が来る前、同じホストハウスに住んでいた）と会い、彼女がネットで探してくれた物件の一つが良さげだったのでチェック。
２日前、その大家と連絡を取る。夕方、先方の仕事が終わるのを待って最寄りの地下鉄駅で待ち合わせ。待っていたのは若い女性（後に大家の娘さんと判明）で、彼女の車に乗って部屋の見学へ行く。着いた先は大きな集合住宅ビル。１階の入り口はオートロックで、部外者は入れないようになっている。エレベーターで６階へ昇り、いよいよ部屋へ。
ドアを開けると正面に廊下があり、右側に２部屋、正面に１部屋、左側はキッチンとバスルーム。右手入り口側の１部屋が空いており、中へ入るとそれほど広くはないものの、奥にセミダブルベッド、洋服箪笥、鏡付きの机、椅子。壁には据付の棚が２つ。気になるコンセントは…５個！充分。テレビはガレージにしまってあるが、持ってきて個人的に使えるとのこと。キッチン・冷蔵庫・洗濯機・バスルームは共有。その他住民税・光熱費・水道代・電気代・暖房費・ワイヤレスインターネット代等、全て込みで１週間￡８５。
立地も上々。治安は比較的良く、日本人が多く住んでいる。敷地のすぐ目の前にバス停があり、学校までは約１５分弱。最寄りの地下鉄駅も歩いて１km程。近所には大きなTESCO（スーパーマーケット）、カフェ、日本食材店などもあり、文句なし。
今のところ同居人は大家の娘さんと先月から住み始めた中国人の女の子（語学留学生）の二人。中国人の子の部屋にはプライベートのバスルームがあるので、風呂の時間はあまり気にしないで済みそう。心配していた冷蔵庫も３人で使うには充分な大きさで、しかも２人ともほとんど料理はしないらしい。やった！ほぼ自由に料理できる！！女友達は部屋に呼んでも構わないが、男友達や彼氏はトラブルの元になるので出入り禁止。部屋では禁煙だけど飲酒は…OK！引越し記念にスコッチウイスキーでも買おうかしらん。
この理想の物件を手中に収めるべく、早速交渉…敷金は１ヶ月分、最低でも３ヶ月住むことが条件。入居日は…２週間後？！まだホームステイ７週間残っているのに？でも諦めたくない。向こうも日本人学生（基本的に大人しく、部屋を汚さない）には好意的だし。
ホストハウスに戻り、ファミリーに相談。即座に敷金１ヶ月は高すぎるとの指摘を受ける（敷金は１～２週間分が妥当）。タダでさえイギリスでは基本的に敷金は戻って来ないのに大損だとも言われたが、日本では敷金に加えて礼金も各１ヶ月分払うし、それが返って来ないのは別に珍しくない（のであまり重大問題だとは思えない）…と一応説明してみたが、あっさり流され、習慣の違いを肌で感じる。
確かにホストハウスとの契約を中途解約してしまうと、その分のお金は戻って来ないし、加えて新部屋の敷金を払うのは痛い…が、こんな理想部屋がそう簡単に見つかるとは思えないし、日本式の払い方で考えれば惜しくはない、というか自分にとっては補って余りある物件である。
翌日（３月２日）、学校の日本人スタッフ（林さん）に相談してみる。そして紆余曲折すること丸１日。予想外の幸運な偶然が重なって、何とか３月２０日に引越しすることが今日決定。今年の正月におみくじを引いたら「大事な事は人に任せて吉」と出たが、どうやらこれは当たったらしい。関わった全ての人に感謝の日。
Recently, I’ve been looking for a flat: checking the information put on the notice board of my school, surfing the internet. That’s because the term of contract between my host family and me, will finish on 24th of April.
Last Sunday, I met a Japanese female student at my host house by my host mother’s introduction. And she goes to the same school as me! She is an ex-student of my host house, so my host mother asked her if she could help me with my problem.
We’ve become friends quickly. Recently she showed me a piece of paper with some information for a flat, so that I could check it.
Two days ago, I made contact with the owner, and arranged to meet. In the evening, I was standing in front of the nearest station of the flat, waiting for the owner’s after work.
The owner was a young woman (actually, she was the daughter of the owner) and she came to pick me up. I got in her car, and then went to check the flat. There were some big buildings like a condominium. The entrance had a self-locking system, so no outsider can enter. We took elevator to the 6 floor, then entered in.
There was a short corridor in front of us when we opened the door, 2 rooms on the right side. 1 room at the end of the corridor, and kitchen and bathroom on the left. The first room on the right side was vacant, we entered there. I thought it wasn’t that big but big enough. A semi-double bed was at the end of the room, a wardrobe was beside the bed, a dressing table and a chair were next them. 2 shelves were on the left side of the door.
The sockets were… 5 of them! That’s enough. According to the owner, they have a small TV in their garage, but I can use it, if I want to. The kitchen, the fridge the washing machine and the bathroom are shared.
The flat rent is ￡85/pw including the council tax, electricity, water, heating and wireless-internet fees.
The place is also nice. It is comparatively safe; therefore many Japanese are living the area. A bus stop is in front of the flat, so that I can get to school in 15 minutes. The nearest tube station is about 1km on foot. And more, a huge size TESCO (a kind of supermarket), café and Japanese food store are around there. It is literally perfect for me!
For the time being, there are 2 flat mates: the owner’s daughter and a Chinese girl, studying English. The student’s room has a private bathroom, which means I wouldn’t be worried about the time if there were 2 users. My No.1 worry was the fridge, but it has enough space for 3, and moreover, 2 of them seem to hardly ever cook (in fact, there was nothing in the fridge). Yeah! I can freely cook whatever!!
And, there were some rules: It’s no problem to invite friends except boy or guy, even lover (they might cause trouble for other flat mates). And it’s No smoking, but… not No drinking! I wonder which Scotch whisky or what; I should buy for the memory of move?
I immediately asked the owner to secure my ideal flat… he told me the terms: to pay the deposit for a month, and to stay there at least 3 months, and that I could move in… 2 weeks later?! How could I move even though my term of the host house still has 7 weeks left? However, I didn’t want to give up easily. The owner was favorable towards a Japanese student (basically we have calm character, and keep rooms tidy) as well.
After that, I went back to my host house, and asked my host family. I pointed out that it was too expensive to pay a deposit of 1 month’s rent (the appropriate fees is of 1~2 weeks in England). They advised me not to waste the money and to consider that too.
I know I’m spontaneous, and they’re good-hearted. Yet, in Japan, it’s ordinary: the owner of the apartment demands a deposit and key money (reward) of one month’s rent, and it’s hardly ever paid back. That’s what I tried to explain to my host family just to make sure, but it seemed out of the question for them. I thought it wouldn’t so easy to find another flat like this again.
The next day (2nd of March), I asked one of the school staff what I should do. And then, the problem was churning in my head the whole day.
Anyway, it was decided today that I’m going to move on 20th of March.
By the way, I’ve drawn a fortune slip in this New Year’s Day. Written on it: “You’d be better to entrust the important decisions to people around you”. This has turned out to be true, somehow. Today, I appreciated all of the people involved in helping me with my problem.
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