Heyas from Japan!!!! :)

Heck yeah, Japan! Probably cant write much now, in the teachers room - but tonight will mark the first week we've been here. Anancho is soooooo beautiful, it's in the middle of a huge mountain range (built right into the hills). When we got here it was super hot and muggy, I don't think it has gotten below 80F since.

Everyone here generally speaks some english (hi, bye, etc.) and most are at a level of understanding a word here and there. Some people, such as the principal in the jr high im presently at, the english teachers, and some other random people speak enough to have an actual conversation. We have been able to talk to may people though, with our mixed japanese and hand gestures. (We being Nick and I, the other person I came over with.) The people here are so nice, always happy, and eager to help.

Later on I'll post on youtube the videos I've been making almost daily as an explanation of what's been going on. But for right now, the short of it. The first few days we were shuttled around (by the board of education member Katsuno-san, really nice guy), meeting important people like the town mayor, the whole public office building, town secretary, treasurer, etc, all the principals, vice-principals, and teachers at the different schools, and some students. I'll tell yopu one thing, it is reeeeally odd when you're giving a speech off the top of your head, to dozens of people lined up in neat rows, who all bow on cue if you say certain things. The room full of people bowing to you you is crazy. And we did it more than once lol.

Our apartments are in great shape, good sized, and work well (despite the lack of a stove). It's about a mile directly uphill for one of the jr highs (the one we've been going to), another mile directly uphill for our grocery store and general store, and to the train station (will probably have to use that often) is maybe a 40 min walk. I needed to lose weight anyways :P Two of the other schools are about 20 mins by car, we don't know if we are going to rent a car, take a train/bus, etc. for those yet.

As for culture shock, The biggest one was the first night we were here. 2 people picked us up from the airport, and took us to a 24hr family resturaunt for some food. We entered and everyone there was Japanese. Duh, right? But thats when the "holy shit i'm in japan!!!!!!!!" sunk in, I was grinning the whole time we were there. Another big culture shock is going to the grocery store every time. Half the stuff we recognize or think we might know what it is, and at least half I have absolutely no idea what to make of it. So i'm sticking with chicken, eggs, rice, miso soup, carrots, for most of my food lol. BUT I FOUND PEANUT BUTTER!!!!!!! It's Skippy, not Peter Pan, but its good. Oh, and fruits are super expensive. maybe 5 strawberries are 4 dollars. It's all at least twice as much, if not more.

Speaking of food, the first few days here we didn't pay a cent, they wined and dined us, stuffed us full and I think I gained about 5 lbs. In a good way. The first night I had a dessert of anko (sweet beans), green tea ice cream, and shitotama, which are like little dango balls, but better. We've eaten cold soba, Yakiniku (fun!), a great dinner at Hirota-sensei's house, and much more. Oh, and the soba? I though it was pork. Turns out it was Duck. Huh.

Nick's girlfriend Hannah came in late Friday night, and we three explored the nearest city, Iida city, Saturday and Sunday. Pictures are on the way, and so is a vlog (when we get internet). We went into Book-off, a manga store (Okay, so I kinda dragged them in...) and I was in heaven - bought 2 BlackJack manga that I'm going to try and read.

Oh my god it's hot here. People carry around sweat towels with them, guys just drape them on their necks, and they get used often.

Starting tomorrow, We're on break for about a month. I plan on travelling a bit after getting the refund from the plane ticket, so if anyone was planning on coming to visit, now would be perfect!!! :) My phone number is (country code 81 I think) 0260-22-3652 If anyone wants to call and has a spiffy low-cost plan, though I might not be home.

Yeah, so we don't have internet yet, so I cannot be on AIM or upload any videos or anything, but don't worry, as soon as possible, everything will be up. I probably won't be able to get to a computer till then either, so bear with me a bit. Goodbye from Japan, I love ya all!