First Week Here

So I have arrived in Japan and been whirlwinded around and have now had 2 days of work at my Board of Education. The first 2 days in Japan were spent in Tokyo in a hotel in the Shinjuku area. The hotel was almost 50 stories high and housed about 1000 JETs (Japan Exchange Teachers). It didn't really feel like Japan after sitting in conferences and presentations all day surrounded by 1000 other English speakers, but ah the wonders of the Japanese bathrooms.

Especially the toilets. There is the western toilet, a copy of what we are all used to of course, but decked out with gadgets and functions in a true Japanese style. As you can see. There is the heated seat, a given, and then the bidet, spray, and air options. Then on the wall, there is a sensor that starts making water noises when you enter so that no one will hear you, and then if you cover the sensor with your hand, it will flush. Then of course there is the Japanese style toilet where you just pop a squat and go. The sensor and noise maker are naturally included in those stalls as well.

In the rooms, your personal bathroom includes the western style toilet, as well as a phone and a mirror heated in a certain area so that it won't fog after you shower. The bathroom also includes Qtips, a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbands, brush, and the regular soap, shampoo, lotion, and conditioner complimentary with a sign letting you know that that isn't their full inventory of items and to call the front desk should you require anything else.

Orientation went by pretty hast and then we headed off to our prefectures where we'd be living. I flew into Kochi city where I was met by 2 other ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers), my CIR (Japanese-English Fluent administrative JET), and my supervisor's assistant (Japanese). We ate and picked pu my luggage then went to my place. Here's what it looks like:
All that was in there was a futon. There was no stove, table, couch, chair, cushion, and most of all, no water. So the toilet and shower were out. But the place is nice and I'll get those things when my predecessor leaves on the 7th. Oh, and the water works now.

So far at work I have a desk that I sit at and do nothing for the most part since it's summer vacation. I have however had to introduce myself in Japanese to what feels like that whole city as I went around and set up my bank account and foregner card at the town office and board of education and was told I'll have an official sit-down with the mayor next week since he's currently out of town.

Last night I went out to eat with a bunch of other JETs in this area and heard some scary stuff about where I live such as the abundance of centipedes, huge spiders, tatami mat beetles, cockroaches, and wasps that kill that people find in their apartments. So fat I've only seen one of these killing wasps that are jet black with a couple tiny yellow strips and some huge spiders. Thanksfully not in my apartment.

Then I heard about typhoons and the 8.5 earthquake that is expected any time in the next 30 years that will bring tsunami with it. Apparently we'll have 20 mins after the earthquake to get to higher ground. Kubokawa, the town I'm in (1 of 3 that make up Shimanto), is at 1000 ft so up here the tsunami wave will get to only 5 or 6 meters high as opposed to on the coast, but that's still over 15ft.

Kubokawa is actually kind of up in the mountains. When driving from Kochi city all the green moutains reminded me of Kauai. It's really pretty and green. And hot. And definitely humid. I guess the nice thing about that is I don't have to use conditioner here. Anyway, people in the office are really nice and have taken care of everything for me. I'm very lucky. Both with people and the building (it's air conditioned).

I've also found out lots of things to do in the town and prefecture and am already thinking of joining a Kochi soccer team with some other JETs, a taiko (Japanese drums) town group that performs in festivals, and doing some type of cooking or dancing class. There's lots going on. Well, I guess since this is like 10 years long I will end here, but things are good. That's it for now!