What is NOT convenient, however, is the fact that is very difficult to find a trash can. Apparently Tokyo is very unlike New York, in that you do not walk down the street eating or drinking anything, so there are no corner trash cans. Occasionally you will come across a recycling bin for bottles and such.
Ahh, the recycling. Unbelievable. Below is the guide that my friends have hanging on their fridge outlining the recycling rules. It's so large that they have to keep it folded in half.
It has very explicit instructions for all manner of waste:
You know, in case you are unsure of how to dispose of your "twigs."
In their kitchen they have three separate trash cans - one for plastic, one for metal, and one for "combustibles." There is also this rubber valve-type thing in the sink drain that led me to believe they have a garbage disposal, and I thought they were so lucky. But no. Attached to it under the sink is a bag that hangs, so you can dump combustible waste in there. And it justs hangs there, then needs to be changed. And sometimes gets smelly.
At the Starbucks, there is a separate trash can for you to first pour your ice or leftover drink into, BEFORE you dispose of your cup and straw. And of course napkins and straw paper go elsewhere.
And while it is very cute, another thing that is not so convenient is the teeny tiny little sink in my bathroom.
I end up getting water everywhere when I wash my hands. Also, the mirror in there is too low for me - I have to stoop down to fix my hair. (In the other bathroom, however, there are 2 nice big sinks, and the whole wall above the sinks is mirrored medicine cabinets.) I think a lot of things in Japan are small because: 1) the people are smaller, and 2) they need to conserve as much space as possible.
Things are really different here.
2 comments:
Great post! I love the use of the word "muck" in regard to diapers.
That sink is so cute, even if it is inconvienent.
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