Update from Tottori

We found out that DH is expected to start work again on Monday. This seems to be the case for other companies in Iwaki too. We were a little surprised as there still doesn't seem to be any water on in our neighbourhood and probably not around DH's work either so it could be a difficult situation for a while. I still don't feel happy about going back there, not only because the power station is not completely under control, but because they are still having huge aftershocks there. Yesterday they had 3 level 5 ones that I know of. I really don't need that kind of stress along with there being no water in our house. 

So the other option was to stay here in Tottori, or go to NZ for a trip to see my family and calm their nerves a bit. So I decided to go to NZ. So I am off there on Sat for about 2 weeks where I will see my mother and sister and some friends too. (I do realise the amount of radiation one is exposed to by travelling by plane, thanks). I was a little unimpressed with the NZ Air NZ call centre as they could only offer crazily priced airfares, even though their website says to call the NZ office for NZers wanting to leave Japan after the quake. So I called the Japan one and was able to book a really cheap flight all the way to Nelson from Kansai and then back to Narita, something I thought would be impossible. 

Last night we told DH's family what we planned to do and that DH was planning to take Sebastian with him back to Iwaki where he would have to stay home alone all day from 7am to 8 or 9pm by himself until I get back (theoretically in 2 weeks). Grandpa N, who thinks Basti is the bees knees, was more concerned about that than me taking Maru chan all the way to NZ and back (thankfully). So he and the rest of DH's family protested long and loud until I knew they really wanted to have him stay and we decided to leave him here for a few months. I was thinking this was the best answer as he loves it here, there are people coming and going all day and plenty of chances for walks and outings and maybe even a spot of digging for potatoes. For the me the thought of him being home alone in Iwaki was bad enough but with all the aftershocks going on and things it made me more worried. Now I know he will be spoiled rotten by Granpa N and I like that he seems to make Grandpa N so happy. Sebastian also seems to understand this and has made a big effort to get cozy with him. Smart boy.

So poor DH will drive all the way back to Iwaki alone but with a car full of food and water to last him until things get back to normal. We found a website which lists all the shops that are now operating. Things seem to be slowly getting better in that respect.

Tomorrow I have a baby dr appointment here in Tottori. We were supposed to have one in Iwaki tomorrow anyway and I thought it best since there will be a lot of disruptions in that area and given all that we have been through in the last 2 weeks. So I asked DH to call my clinic in Iwaki and cancel my appointment, but it turns out the are closed as the Dr has evacuated too...so what is happening to all his patients who are due to give birth any minute!?! It's not like there are a lot of other options in Iwaki at the best of times. I guess many of them are like me and gone to unaffected areas. Lucky I have somewhere to go in the future if this kind of situation happens again or continues.

So this might be the last post for a while. Am not going to have much internet access whilst I am in NZ. My own sister has been waiting for over a month and has to wait at least one more to get a phone and internet installed in her new house because of the Christchurch earthquake. Damn earthquakes.

Anyway, 行ってきます。 or See you when I get back.