Street BBQ

There was an annual street BBQ in our street yesterday. We have attended the BBQ every year but last year. Every time I attend it, I am reminded how lucky we are to be part of such a wonderful community of neighbours.

Before coming to New Zealand, we lived in a six-story apartment building (or so-called 'mansion' in Japanese) in a big city, next to Tokyo, with population of about 1.4 million. As we were among the first residents in the apartment building after it was newly built, we had an opportunity to meet many other residents at an orientation meeting before shifting in. Yet, we rarely had communication with others except for greeting when we happened to meet at the entrance or in the lift.

Now I don't only know many neighbours but also talk with them frequently. One of the reasons for it is that I walk in the street at least once a day with my dogs, and so do other dog owners in the street, which I want to call a 'Dog Street' because of the high canine population rate. However, more importantly, most of the residents in this street are friendly and considerate of others. For example, many neighbours know that Cinnamon was hospitalised a month and a half ago and often ask me if she is all right now.