I will add photos as regularly as I can. Bear in mind that internet access is rather limited in a small, rural Japanese village!
To all those people who I didn`t get the chance to speak to before I left - sorry. I have my own place here now, and I can promise you an excellent time if you want to visit me. Just send me an email to let me know.
I am currently an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in the Iimori Town area. I teach at the junior high school, as well as two elementary schools.
...urinating on colleagues feet. At least, thats what I might as well have been doing. Yes folks, its another toilet slipper tale. I am absolutely paranoid about toilet slipper etiquette ever since my mishap (see above). So, today, I went to the loo and, as usual, took of my slippers at the raised platform and slid into the pair that was on the lower platform. Then, stood in front of the urinal and, you know... At this point, a work colleague steps out from the loo and stares at my feet in what I assume is horror. Yep, they were his slippers. Interrupting myself mid-flow -never an easy task - and "gomen nasai"-ing like it was going out of fashion, I left as quickly as I could. This time though, it WAS NOT MY FAULT!! He had put his slippers on the lower bit, and they were they same shitty brown colour and make as the toilet slippers. What am I, omniscient? Next week, I think I'll just be done with it and piss all over the staffroom floor. Bah. (8 October 2003)
...scaring the wildlife on Yakushima island. Took a few days off and went to this UNESCO World Heritage island. Incredible place. Tress more than 7000 years old, mountains, wild monkeys, deer leaping in front of cars. To prevent me from getting homesick, it even rained every day. (20 October 2003)
...not having much free time at school. Thats why I've not been updating this page much. However there should now be some photos of me dressed up as Santa Claus at my elementary schools. Ho ho ho... (3 December 2003)
...been pounding rice. Freshly steamed rice, a big bucket and an even bigger hammer. 10 mins later, it becomes chewy and tasy, especially when they add sweet-bean paste to it! Should be some piccys... (November-ish).