NEWS

Talk About Oak Harbor: Family from Japan eye changes

Linda Hartigan

My daughter who moved to Japan last August visited recently. So did my son who has not been here in at least three years. Both noticed lots of changes in our area. The Taco Bell and the demise of Denny and Bill’s garage were the most noticeable to them.

My son sat and stared at the Taco Bell for quite some time. He remembers going to the dentist at the residence that was there.

As we walked around at the county fair, both noticed fewer animals and birds than during their 4-H years and many more horse barns and horses. Of course, last year there were no fowl allowed because of the serious bird flu epidemic. We may see an increase in chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks in following years.

My daughter, who graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 2000, saw some of her former classmates. We were there in the middle of the day on Tuesday. I think evenings have larger numbers visiting.

As my children reminisced, I asked my grandchildren what they noticed about the United States after spending a year in Yokohama. The older two had no comment. The 5-year-old had many observations. She said the United States has more space and the buildings are shorter. She also noticed that she doesn’t walk very much in the states. In Japan, she walks a lot.

What she noticed is the difference in setting. We live in a rural environment. So did she when the family lived in Newport, Michigan. In Japan, they live on the tenth floor of a high rise in the middle of the country’s second largest city. They have no car. It is walking, taking a bus or train, or riding their bikes everywhere.

She later commented how dark it is at night here. She said this while chasing lightning bugs at night.

My daughter said what she noticed was the number of tattoos on many people. That is not something she noticed overseas. She said the size of products available at grocery stores is also very different. In our stores, products are available in far larger sizes than in Yokohama. She appreciates the smaller sizes as she totes groceries home for a family of six on a stroller with her 3-year-old in it. I’ve watched her load the stroller. It is impressive.

My daughter missed the variety of fish available in Japan. Our stores don’t offer the variety of fresh lettuces and produce available in Yokohama either. She likes the chicken offered here more. In Japan, fatty parts of chicken are more desirable.

She commented that the two oldest children had a great time shopping for a toy at a local Wal-Mart. The aisles and aisles of toys made their eyes open wide. Both had forgotten the variety available.

LindaHartigan’s column appears each Thursday. Call her at 419-898-1645.