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Dealing with a Dump & Other
Friendly Advice
Vinay Talley, ALT
Senmaya Town, 1994-96
"Now, who would live in a place like this?" I thought as my supervisor and I descended into a tiny parking lot 18 meters below the side of a major thoroughfare. Before us stood a complex of six two-story apartments. They were a faded beige, probably originally an off-white discolored by the soot and smog of daily traffic and trash burning. We plodded toward the front of the building knee deep in weeds. The overgrown pathway shook below our feet as passing trucks rumbled by. My supervisor finally stopped before the corner unit and ceremoniously proclaimed, "Anata no apaato." ("This is your apartment.")
Shock is something you can feel and describe. The emotions that swelled within me at that moment were beyond feeling and description. I was utterly devastated at realizing that for the next twelve months I would be living in a building that made American public housing analogous to Beverly Hills mansions.
"It may need cleaning. No one's lived here for five years," explained my supervisor. That was quite apparent, but it seemed more like 15 years than the five he proclaimed. What was within was beyond description. So, due the risk of ruining months of "self therapy" in order to overcome the initial discomfort, I will exclude the details.
This account at this point may bring up doubts for some in coming to Japan, but you'll never regret it. This is mostly to awaken you to the mere possibilities you may encounter within the first week of your arrival. If it hasn't been reiterated enough yet at your pre-departure orientation, "each situation is different". I must say that my situation is one of the extremes, but who knows, you might be my successor.
There are many who come and live in the lap of luxury -- they have hot running water, flush toilets and showers. Then there are those such as myself, who must create a livable habitat. Hopefully, you'll be lucky and won't be my successor.
By now, many of you have received letters or maybe phone calls from your predecessors, if you have one, and they will have told you about the household effects they want to sell. For you, I must advise caution and "buyer beware". It's not that JETs are sharks and cheats out to sell you Salvation Army rejects, but it's just common sense that one should ask a lot of questions about the goods one is buying, especially with the dollar so weak.
Firstly, you should ask for a picture of all the goods, not individually, but enough to determine that they were made in this century and were not handled by the gorilla at the local zoo. In my case, I didn't. Upon arrival, I found out my idea of slightly used and my predecessor's varied greatly. Now I am the proud owner of one of the first VCRs ever produced. It is roughly half the size of my room. And I have been scorned by my neighbors for causing brownouts every time I press "play".
Next, I would suggest buying the full load. Go for it! "Why?" you may ask. No, I don't get a commission, but you will find that everything your predecessor bought was not for looks. They were probably necessary for survival. So, as you mull over the list and see such things as hot water heater, stove or lights, don't think your predecessor is trying to pull one over on you. Many apartments do not have these items; actually, they usually don't. But if you see such things as bridges and railroads listed, then maybe I'd question them.
Once you've decided to buy the whole load or whatever items you deem necessary, there is the little problem of payment. If you are just graduating, it is very unlikely you'll have the US $500-800 that your successor is asking. In my case, I sent a deposit check to my successor's parents and paid the rest after getting to Japan. If you're a prefectural ALT, you'll get move-in money around mid-August, so don't worry about money too much. And if you're a municipal ALT, your housing will not only be partially furnished, but it may also be inexpensive, though you'll need to check with your predecessor. Regardless, you will definitely be well paid in this job and you will see what a bargain you got from your predecessor once you go shopping here.
Finally and most importantly, it's your place. Customize it to your liking. Just because you're living in Japan doesn't mean you have to live like the Japanese or your predecessor. Your abode is your sanctuary after work. So whatever you need to make it livable, then do it. From painting the walls a hot pink to as little as putting up curtains, can make your life in Japan so much more comfortable. So, a good idea is to bring or send some household decorations like posters, poster putty, wall hangings and whatever else you like. If there are items you're leaving behind in your home country because you think you can live without them, DON'T. What ever made you happy back home, bring it with you. I must say I sleep a lot better knowing that Wilbur the Wombat is at my side.
This will not eliminate all your problems. There are still many problems which you will encounter. Some which may never get resolved such at the "botton" (drop toilet) which you'll learn about soon enough. But my dump is much more livable if not luxurious after a little work. Overall, I feel much more comfortable now and sometimes I even call it "home".