It's past midnight now in Matsue, and the ever-precarious weather has turned sour. As I walked home after work across Kunibiki Bridge, a chill wind blew through my coat and rumbled in my ears of fouler weather to come. Before I got to the other side, I saw the first flash of sheet lightning, followed about two minutes later by the booming thunder. I knew I had better hurry, and had barely got through my front door when the skies opened up. Now I hear the rattling of freezing rain, so perhaps winter will come upon us at last.

 

Here are my first few pictures, from my brief time in Okayama for training, December 1-9. I have included a picture of the Rockies, taken from the airplane as we flew high above them. I took pictures of Montreal as we flew in, too, but they were blurry in the pre-dawn light, and Vancouver was too gray to be interesting. I was lucky to get a window seat for all three flights, and spent a lot of time with my nose pressed to the glass. Flying brings out the child in me.

 

I also included a picture of my fellow trainee Josh (in a typical pose) with the ever-present vending machines that I (really!) found quite fascinating in my early days. We wandered Okayama together; some of you got the email about my first weekend, when we found a very cool reggae bar and had a fun evening.

 

I also sent a picture of Ujo, or "Crow Castle", backlit by the sun. I have quite a few pictures of this castle, so I"ll send some more, although I like Matsue Castle more. Compared to the dark elegance of Ujo, Matsue Castle is scrappy and earthy, more real somehow.

 

I also sent a picture of the streets of Okayama from the pedestrian bridge leading from the train station. I quite like this one.

 

Apparently I also included a fifth picture, but I'm so tired I don't remember what it was...

 

Anyway, here you go. I'm for bed. Talk to you soon!