I made it to my apartment in Ryuo.  My supervisor and another English teacher took me and another new JET (Mark, who lives in the same apartment buiding as I do) to lunch at a CHinese restaurant then we went to my apartment, then to the school and met some people (though most people are out because of the summer break) and I talked to some students playing trombone outside (the brass band was doing sectionals outside.  Brass band means wind band.).  I waved and said hi because they were looking at me and they introduced themselves.  They were excited that I'm a musician and wanted to hear me.  I hope that will make up for the fact that I don't know any pop culture.  We then came to my apt and met the water, gas, and electric men.  It was crazy!  Kayla left me her internet info at the school, which I did not realize until I was back at the apartment, so I won't be able to get set up in my place in a bit.  I would bike to school, but the bike I bought from Kayla just had the seat stolen and the bike shops were closed so we couldn't fix it and the school is quite far.  Anyway, I am using the computer of another ALT to write this.  He took Mark and I for a walk around our area, which was quite nice.  It's more city than I was expecting, but the place is so endearing - especially the people!  I didn't know what people ment by saying the Japanese were so nice, but they are so, so nice!  I'm getting excited about teaching and living here.

I don't want to take up all my friend's time, so I have to go.  I love you all and I'll try to write again soon!  I'm happy and excited and doing fine.  It certainly helps to have a neighbor going through the same thing I am and one who speaks ENglish and nearly fluet Japanese.  I feel I'm in good hands!

P.S.  I do not have time to check email.  Will do so soon I hope.

Posted by harp on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 7:21 am | Edit
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Comments
Thanks to you (and your friend) for the update. It's wonderful to know people are so helpful and friendly. The part about the bicycle seat makes me wonder about Japan's low-crime-rate reputation, however. You can lock a bicycle, but how can you protect the seat???

Posted by SursumCorda on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 11:03 am
At CMU, some people took their seats with them to class after locking up their bikes.

Posted by joyful on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 4:16 pm
I guess that means bicycle seat-stealing isn't as peculiar as I thought.

Posted by SursumCorda on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 7:59 pm
Lots of folks take their seaths with them in Rochester. I'd never heard of it until I went to the "big city". There must be pawn shops with racks and racks of bicycle seats somewhere.

Posted by Andy on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 9:41 pm
Wh-wha-why seats? Is there seriously much a black market for disembodied bicycle seats? I mean, aren't you going to have to snag a seatless bike along with it for it to be worth anything? (Oh wait, on further thought there is a market: people who've had their seat stolen!)

Posted by Andy Bonner on Saturday, July 30, 2005 at 1:47 am
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