At 6:15 this morning, while I was listening to soft music,
the siren went to alert the village of a landslide drill. Announcements come
through speakers in every home as well as through loud speakers all over the
village. The drill had been pre-arranged and everybody was ready. The
rainy season will be here soon, and there are often dangerous landslides in
this amazing mountainous country.
So, when I heard the siren, I went downstairs to meet with
the people in my building as well as the surrounding houses. We sat in the
allotted room. I had no idea what was being discussed. The warden speaks a
little English. Nobody else does but every body smiles at me. They talked for
about an hour and I was hungry.
Finally, everybody got up and I heard the word
“owarimashita” which I recognized as “finished”, so I said my farewells and
went back to my flat. I am glad it was just a drill.
Hi Wyverne. I continue to enjoy your 'slices of life' blog. June now, and the rains will be with you any day now. Best wishes for the big wet.
ReplyDeleteAso-san was awesome in both reality and also in the current usage of the word.
I caught up with the little video on your Facebook that encapsulates the simple pleasures of Japan for a visitor; safe, respectful, mindful of harmony etc etc. This year was my tenth visit; my sixth solo.
All the best for the remaining time.