Tadaima/ただいま〜!　(See * for photo explanation) (Patreon)

tl;dr --> Home, quarantining, working on Bedtime Story and post cards. A photo, too.

Hey hey All,

How are you? Anything new happen while I was away?

I'm writing a bit of a long post as I've had patrons and listeners ask about the mood here and what's going on exactly.

So first, I'm safely back home in Japan and quarantining for two weeks. Coming through Haneda Airport was very ... um, thorough. There were nearly three hours of presenting papers and getting checked for this or that, spit tests and walking on special alcohol soaked carpets to disinfect shoes and all manner of scrutinizing before being allowed back into the country. Which is fine, I rolled with it, got 5,000 steps in the airport alone and bought myself a chocolate frou frou drink at Tully's when it was all done.

I guess what isn't fine is that we saw Olympic related folk waltz on through the process on a literal red carpet. Did you know you don't even have to be vaccinated to compete or be involved in the Olympics in any way? Only 17.9% of Japanese people are fully vaccinated here and most of those are over 65. It really depends on how the prefectures and cities are handling it. I know of three good friends who are in their 70s who just this week got a voucher to make a reservation to get their first jab (in August). Also, infections are going up, the delta variant is seen more and more, and we're already hearing about athletes testing positive after they get here. The tension is palpable. 

I can honestly say of all my Japanese friends and family (and students), I don't know a single person who wants the Olympics to be held. These are people who were ecstatic about it for ~years~ prior to the pandemic. Everyone feels that so far Japan has dodged the proverbial bullet and (to borrow another cliche) really pushing their luck at the moment.  

While originally quite a number of people were vaccine hesitant (because of past issues and for some reason really worried about the side effects), of the people I know personally only one is still adamant about not getting the shot(s). But she's a dyed in the wool anti vaxxer to begin with (won't allow her children to get their childhood vaccines either. Everyone else seems to be paying attention to numbers and news and are quite anxious to get their jab.

Anyway, Julyan picked Richard and me up and drove us home thus saving us $1,300 hiring a taxi or $1,600 staying in a special hotel for 2 weeks. 

Our current situation is that we're contacted daily by the Ministry of Health in some form:

1. Daily email that has to answered within three hours or else. 

2. Daily random video recording of us with background so they can see we're  at home and not out galavanting around, licking doorknobs.

3. Random video call where we actually talk to someone for real and answer questions. Those guys are very good at picking the moments when you're about to take a nap, step into the shower, or even go to bed (they called at nearly 10 pm the other night!). There are also tracking apps on our phones. 

It seems we can forage for food once a week at the one 24-hour supermarket, if I go during a non crowded time. No problem there, it's pretty much what we've been doing the entire pandemic. 

That all said, I'm reinvigorated from the trip to the States and really, really wanting to go out and do some field work, research a Nana Fushigi or cool temple or something and take video and audio recordings to share with you all. Soooon. 

Observation: The stay in the States was absolute heaven. Well, except for some serious incompetency by the clinic who did our final PCR test (to be done within a 72-hour window before our flight, they got my time wrong and wouldn't correct it). I was flabbergasted at how (in general) no one will take responsibility for anything or apologize when a mistake is made, even if its on behalf of the company/institution/store. It made me re-appreciate how (for the most) part people here take pride in their work, try to help, keep things tidy, and don't bad mouth you or their jobs so other people can hear. I'm still shaking over that. 

So 無事に戻りました〜！

Also, I just realized that not being able to leave the house for 14 days means I can't go to the post office or shop for goodies. But no worries, I'll get on that as soon as they free me and before the end of the month, of course!

Until then, I'm working on the Bedtime Story(ies) and postcards and podcasts, so there is stuff getting done.

Missed you all, XOXO,

terrie

* When you take the PCR test in Haneda Airport, you have to hole up in these little cubicles and spit. It's so gross being surrounded by hawking and horking strangers, I can't even tell you ... but just in case you can't fill the vial, they have photos of lemons and pickled plums to get your juices flowing. They actually did work! Brilliant! 

Richard's sister took amazing care of us, drove us into nature and let us mountain bike and paddle board among many other wonderful social distancing things. Here I am in her sparkly tiara helmet being very happy.