Living and working in Osawano
Bill Kropp (KROPP@MASTER.PS.UCI.EDU)
Fri, 12 May 1995 17:14 PDT
Date: Fri, 12 May 1995 17:14 PDT
From: Bill Kropp <KROPP@MASTER.PS.UCI.EDU>
Subject: Living and working in Osawano
To: superk@dsirae.lampf.lanl.gov
Message-Id: <01HQF92DQS0GB61SOF@MASTER.PS.UCI.EDU>
To SKers:
As you know, apartments have been rented in Osawano. Check with your group
leader etc. to determine the state of the apartments, furniture status
etc. Have an apartment assignment before you go!
In the case of the UCI apartments, people need to supply their own bedding
(mattress pad/cover, sheets, pillows, blankets etc.), plus robe, towels, bath
mats, clothes hangers, etc. In the kitchens there are pots and pans, dishes and
glasses. You will need flatware, utensils (knives, peelers, spatulas, etc.), any
favorite cookware, towels, etc. Check with your "room-mates" to see what is
actually there. US electrical appliances seem to work OK on the 60 Hz, 100 Volts
which come out of the walls. However its a totally 2-prong system (old US type)
so bring adapters for polarized and 3-prong plugs.
The apartments in general are rather fragile. Tatami mats need special care as
do paper window screens. The hardwood floors are easily scratched and the walls
in general are rather easily damaged. We also have to be good neighbors...no
excessive noise, garbage out at the proper day and time, use only assigned
parking spots, etc. A book of rules (in Japanese) comes with each apartment!
Things in Osawano (and in Japan in general) generally are quite expensive...
perhaps 2 times US prices. And clothing to fit the larger of us Amerika-jin is
probably not available! Slip-on shoes are a real convenience in this shoe
conscious country, but a good set of water proof boots is also a wise
investment. You might want to consider bringing food items such as peanut
butter, coffee ($27 per lb for supermarket type), etc. Also don't forget
prescription and OTC drugs.
Some information on conditions inside the mine: The temp is said to be 15
degrees C (59 F) all year round. (It seems warmer than that to me even in May.)
The steel toed boot requirement, after much waffling, has been dropped. If you
have them bring them anyway. There are times when they will be a definite plus.
Each person now needs to bring a good pair of clean sneakers. These are to be
worn only in the detector tank...you change shoes before you enter! Good quality
is needed because you will be climbing around on narrow beams, 2 meters off the
floor.
Externally I would expect a lot of wet weather plus hot and humid conditions
generally for the summer.
Bill