We have this old saying

Japan has a lot of sayings. It’s interesting to talk with older people and hear about old expressions and things that younger people have forgotten. I have one friend in particular that likes to tell me about long forgotten expressions. Some so old that it makes people his age laugh. It’s always fun to when those things come out of my mouth! People always ask me, “Why do you know that?”

Just wait till the equinox

If you’ve read other things that I have posted, you’ll no doubt have noticed that I talk (complain) about the weather here in Japan. Being from California it really is kind of rough on me. Not that where I’m from has great weather (it doesn’t) but it is fairly predictable.

Here in Japan, one of the things that get to me is the length of the summers and winters. That means that the mild weather of spring and fall are very short! But they have a saying. Heat and cold last only until the equinox. However, I have found that never to be the case.

To store or not to store, that is the question

Closet space in Japan is very limited. Let’s face it, space period is limited in Japan! Therefore it is necessary to store offseason clothes so they don’t take up all your room. But I never really am sure when I should change. From late last year my closets have been in utter chaos. It was hot until the beginning of December! Too bad too because I had gotten some really nice sweaters!

You’re hot then you’re cold

Another thing about the time surrounding both equinoxes; you’re hot and cold at the same time. Yeah, I know that doesn’t sound possible, but it is. If someone had tried to explain that to me before I had moved here I’d thought them mad!

I believe that it has to do with the humidity. The air temperature is cold, or rather the wind is cold. But the moisture in the air is warm. Don’t rely on this explanation as scientifically sound because I don’t really have any idea what’s happening.

If you sit still, you need a sweater. As soon as you do something simple as walking, you feel like you are going to burst into flames from within. It doesn’t take much to work up a sweat.

I’m waiting

So the autumnal equinox is on September 23 this year. I’m waiting to see if the heat final goes away. I have some nice sweaters to sport!