It’s a beautiful, sunny morning. As I have coffee, I’m watching my neighbor across the street hang her bedding out in the fresh air. This is a routine for many here on nice mornings. Futons (which are much thinner and lighter than the futons in the U.S.) and quilts are hung over balconies and on laundry lines.<\/p>\n
It’s a little strange to see so much laundry hung out to dry in Japan. At least for me, I connect this sort of image with developing countries, where dryers (and even washers) are a luxury. But although almost everyone has a washing machine here, many people still choose not to use dryers, opting instead for a natural dry. It’s been a bit of an adjustment for me. Not only does it add some more time to the laundry routine, but the clothes end up feeling not quite as soft as I’m used to (from the use of dryer sheets back home). But that slightly-starchy feeling goes away quickly once the clothes are worn. Since I don’t have access to a balcony or clothes line outside, on laundry days my tiny apartment is packed with hanging clothes and sheets, creating something of a cave environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It’s a beautiful, sunny morning. As I have coffee, I’m watching my neighbor across the street hang her bedding out in the fresh air. This is a routine for many here on nice mornings. Futons (which are much thinner and lighter than the futons in the U.S.) and quilts are hung over balconies and on… Continue reading Laundry Day<\/span>