The Local Ex-Pat Community

One of the nicest and most unexpected parts of our time here in Japan so far has been the local ex-pat community here on Rokko Island.

(Since we are only here for a (relatively) short time - not the more permanent 3 or 5 year assignments of many of our friends who work for other companies like P&G, Caterpillar, Lilly, or other companies - and we haven't sold our homes and belongings back home, we are sort of pseudo-ex-pats.)

Being in a whole new community and social situation, it is the first time in a long time that we have made so many great new friends.

And, in a lot of ways, walking around here feels like a college campus. Sort of. (Except we have kids!) -- no cars, always out biking or walking, small apartment-style living, and food shopping everyday, plus the tight association with the international school that Jacob and Lauren go to, mean that you see the people you know around the neighborhood every day. Sometimes we feel like we can only walk a couple of steps without running into someone else.

With everyone in the same boat, sharing information and experiences, it makes for a very neat community.