My friend Claire's New apartment

The other day my new friend Claire from Japanese class... actually I have known her for over a month now, so we're kinda like old friends :)

Claire also is keeping a blog, so if you are enjoying reading about my tales in Japan,then you will love hers! Claire has two jobs, one as a full time English Teacher and the other at the English Coversation Cafe I am going to be working at... Her Japanese is also so much better than mine (and doesn't have a Japanese boyfriend or live in a household with five Japanese people)
Check is out; http://harajukuclaire.wordpress.com/

Ok so the other day Claire moved apartments, as the one she was in was rather expensive and not in a great area. So being the wonderful friend I am... I turned up to the new apartment, after the hard work of moving had already been completed, but I did bring wine! (So definitely a "good" friend)

After exploring the area around Shin-Yurigaoka, turns out there are about three department stores, a cinema, loads of Restaurants and a McDonalds, we took a scenic route back to Claire’s new apartment. We ended up getting a little lost... but ended up finding it by accident really! The apartment is definitely vintage... complete with Japanese Tatami flooring in the lounge/bedroom. I guess you would call it a studio apartment maybe? The kitchen is a separate room as is the toilet and shower room. Oh and it has the oldest hot water system in the world!! I should actually take a photo of it next time I go, as its bizarre and I have never seen one like it before.. Oh and the bath is tiny :S

Although I didn't help move... I'm pretty busy here, I need to sleep in till 9am, don't have a full time job, don't practise my Japanese and have temporarily given up on exercise... I was still there later for "emotional" support :) However Claire and I's Japanese teacher was there for her during the moving process, she even organised a taxi, paid for it (it was around $100.00) and donate some goods to the new apartment, including a table two stools, glasses and a coffee machine! She is a lovely Lady and extremely generous. Claire of course was prepared to pay for the taxi, but Arake insisted she pay.  

Overall it is a lovely apartment, in a good area and has everything you need... including a washing machine (on the balcony). I am hoping that I will be invited over again for a wine or two soon :)

Claire with her new table, stools and glasses from our Japanese Teacher... they have an interesting message on them.

 Later we went out for a MASSIVE Italian meal!! So good :) Although I think the waitress may have got her finger in the photo (top right side of picture)...