So you've settled yourself in, found the grocery store and the
beer vending machine on the corner. Now it's time to write that
letter home. If you're like me, you keep putting it off, and off,
and off till finally you end up buying a plane ticket home instead.
Below is a letter home that will work for brothers, sisters, mom
and Dad!
Dear ____:
I am writing this slow, cause I know you can't read too fast.
I'm not living where I did when I last spoke to you. I read in
the paper that most car accidents happen within twenty miles of
home, so I moved. I can't send you the address as the last Japanese
family that lived here took the numbers with them for their next
house, so they wouldn't have to change their address.
This place has a washing machine but the first day I put four
shirts in it, pushed a button on the remote control and haven't
seen them since. It rained here only twice last week; three days
the first time and four days the second time.
I'm sending home a Japanese coat for brother Tom. I think it would
be a little too heavy to send in the mail with the heavy buttons
it has, so i'll cut them off and put them in the pockets.
Oh, good news from sis; she had a baby this morning. I haven't
found out whether it's a boy or girl yet, so I don't know if you
are a grandmother or a grandfather.
I was at an enkai last night. The Mayor of this town fell into
a vat of sake. Some men tried to pull him out, but he fought them
off and drowned. They cremated him and he burned for three days.
Three friends of mine went off a bridge in their pick-up. One
was driving and the other two were in the back. The driver got
out, he rolled down the window and swam to safety. The other two
drowned; they couldn't get the tailgate open.
Japanese people are so kind to me. One person is even knitting
me some socks. I told her I grew a another foot since I moved
to Japan so she's knitting me another to go with the pair.
Not much more news this time. Nothing much has happened.
Love you always,
Your son/daughter.
