引越しの日にはこちらから挨拶に出向きました。1時間もしない内に早速チャイムが鳴り、「ガス会社が約束の時間に来ないから電話で問合せてもらえないか」と。もちろん快く対応しました。翌日、エリックと外出先から夜10時過ぎに帰宅すると、またチャイムの音が。今度は洗濯機の使い方を説明して欲しいと。これには少々閉口し、遅い時間は避けて欲しいことを伝えると、とたんに表情が固くなりました。エリックが勤める大学の宿舎だから、住人たちとは上手くやっていきたいところですが…。インドから来た隣人とは、少し時間がかかるかもしれません。
写真：ゴールデンウィークに近所で催された「だんじり」の様子。
Neighbor
When he moved in, we went to his door to welcome him to the apartment. Our door bell rang within an hour and he asked us “will you call the gas company as they did not show up at the arranged time?” Of course, we did not mind helping him. Next day, we went out for a day and came home after 10pm. Our door bell rang again. This time, he wanted us to explain how to use his washing machine. We were a bit put-off and asked him not to come to us in the late hours. He suddenly hardened his face. This is the employees’ apartment for Eric’s university and we want to get along with the residents here… It might take a little more time to get to know this neighbor from India.
Picture: A scene from the Danjiri parade held in our neighborhood during Golden Week.
