Defining features

There are two defining features in our lives in Japan so far. One is the unbearable heat (which I have already described in sweaty details but I could always continue to rant on about the temperature) and the other is what we dearly call "The Hill of Death".

The picture doesn't really do THOD justice. Our apartment is located over the damn hill and let me tell you, it's a workout walking up that hill especially in this heat (get the theme yet?). It didn't seem that bad when I checked out the apartment during my pre-trip search. Perhaps the combination of jetlag and nice, comfy car had something to do with it. Or perhaps it's just a deathwish of some sort. Anyhow THOD never goes away and is always waiting for us when we get out of the subway station. Poor Joey has to push Trisha in the stroller and carry the groceries as well.....she could probably run a marathon after this summer is over.