Hello everyone!
I wrote an incredibly long
email on Sunday night about my weekend, but can't find a way to connect my
laptop yet, so I'll send it along when I can. Meanwhile, I'll just say the
weekend was great and leave it at that. I'm in my apartment now (Neal, the
previous tenant and the guy I'm replacing, is at a nearby hotel) and beginning
to really like it, now that everything is put away and I know how to use things
like my rice cooker and washing machine and where to put the garbage, et cetera.
Neal came by yesterday and showed me around the neighbourhood, including all the
stores I should need, popular hangouts, and the other AEON office/school
where I will be teaching, near the university. We travelled by bike!
Those of you who have known me a long time know that I am not a bike-riding
person, but I spent a few hours on one yesterday! Neal is leaving me two bikes;
one is a mountain bike, good for everyday use, riding in bad weather or taking
trips, and one not so good but with a basket for grocery shopping. Matsue is
nicknamed "the Venice of Japan", and it does have many canals, although they
aren't used for transportation except for the horikawa, or sigthseeing
boats.
Yesterday afternoon was nice,
but the weather here is wet and changeable at this time of year. It has rained
every day so far, sometimes several times. But it's not snowy, and it's not
cold...yet.
I start work today at 12:30 and
I'll work until 9pm. Mostly I'll be in meetings and getting to know people this
afternoon, and tonight I'll observe Neal's classes and meet his/my students.
Tuesday to Friday I'll work 12:30 to 9pm and Saturday I'll work 10:30 to 7. As
of Friday, Neal is done and I'm on my own. I have lots of support in the office,
though. Mayumi and Melanie are both full-time teachers and I met both of
them my first night. Melanie is from Montreal; I think she's very warm and
outgoing.
I'll start looking for my
aikido class next week, when I've become more settled. I'm anxious to meet
people here and find more things to do. I'm not used to spending a lot of time
by myself. I've been catching up on my reading; someone left Memoirs of a
Geisha in the apartment, and I've almost finished it already. I've been
using my kotatsu (sp?), which is, well - try to imagine a coffee table,
a duvet and a heater all rolled into one. I keep my feet under the table , and
the blanket hangs over the sides, keeping my feet and legs toasty warm. This is
very traditional in Japan, although they used to use coals instead of
electricity.
It's in my other email, but I
will say it again - Matsue's castle is amazing, and the grounds and old
structures, including the samurai houses and restaurants and pottery and art
museums in the area around the castle are beautiful and serene. I just paid
a quick visit, but I'll go back soon to explore further...this time by
bike!
People look at me a little more
here; I haven't seen any other blondes and very few foreigners at all. But so
far I'm looking right back, because I'm still very curious. There is less
English on the signs, and I know I have to start working at my Japanese if I'm
going to do more than get by. Neal is going to introduce me to his Japanese
tutor, and I have lots of self-study books at home that I can use, but I just
have to make sure I buckle down and do it!
I'll write again soon. Till
then,
Love
Sarah