Dave & Family:
Love the restrooms! Biggest joy has been the MANY public restrooms & the electronic toilet seats with full wash, rinse & dry (whew!) cycles. Restrooms are hi-tech, clean and plentiful.
Rule followers:
-Stop lights - everyone waits at "No Walk" signs, even if traffic is no where to be found. Better than the chaos of no one following rules in many of our big US cities :)
-Bank forms - silly rules followed to the rule, not the spirit.
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| (Picture is our team on top of Mount Yashima, praying over city of Takamatsu) |
Respect & Honor are most valued here. The inverse of what people call this is a "shame culture". People long to follow process to show & garner RESPECT. Afraid to diverge from rules as it would dishonor as well. However, they keep such a happy face and delight in their service.
Feels much like The Law vs. Grace. Grace seems foreign here.
Nothing free. Culture seems to devalue this. No tipping either. You get what you get & it is high quality. You don't need to tip or make special offers for it.
Different joys? Highly efficient.
Sand used on all play fields, soccer, school grounds vs. Grass which would grow here. Too much maintenance? The sand is easy to maintain.
Takamatsu is on a Sea and the shoreline views are breathtaking. Closest I've seen would be in the Mediteranean Sea. However, there are no beaches, no restaurants filling the coast, etc. Only a very productive shipping port. Takamatsu is a working class town, so I'm not sure if it is just this town. However, I know the Japanese do not like sunshine. They cover their bodies even in the greatest heat. Whiter the skin the better for fashion and status. It's a different world.
As different as it all seems, the people have been soooo friendly and loving toward us. Not just helpful, but out of their way helpful. They want to do right by you. Also, it is sooo safe. I see stores that leave their inventory out on the front porch while closed, not even worrying someone will steal.
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| Our meeting and worship time in our living room |
Humbled by how simple their lives are. Everything so small.
Changed outlook on what is important in life. I need to focus more on God & be grateful for what he has given me & my family. Be more of a God-pleaser vs. People pleaser. Heard it in lecture but is sinking in here. Living with so many people need to focus less on what people think about us & more about pleasing God.
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| View of Takamatsu from Mount Yashima |
Safe place.
We are supposed to be here. It seems like some of the people we've met were put here by God for us.
Drive on left side of rode. Driver sits on right side of car.
Some smells are different. Some bad like fish market down street. Some good like Udon noodle shops, miso soup, teriyaki.
Ride bikes almost everywhere. Things are close by. Just a sprawling city, no highway loop. Small cute cars.
No iphones.
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| David cruising on pier |
Love it, Clean, safe,
Food all great. Especially Udon noodles
Neighbors very friendly, kind to us with gifts (peaches).
Not as hi-tech as expected. Not many free wifi spots & lots of flip phones :) also, the few electronic stores I visited seem expensive & out of date. May be the weak $
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| Jackie Ray found a pic of a pretty Asian Woman |
I like the people. Kind. Riding bikes all over is fun.
Huge waterpark & pool is only open 1 month a year & the climate is like Florida!!!
School kids only get one month of summer break. And we think our summers are short!
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| JR enjoying some Udon noodles. Yum, the broth is the best part!!! |
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