Well I am here in Shimogo at last, after many goodbyes and three wild days and nights in Tokyo I am beginning to settle into the Japanese country life. The scenery is amazing, the houses are beautiful and the people look at me like I am a rock star...so far so good.

I started work on Thursday at the Board of Education which is based in the town hall, unfortunately only one person speaks any English and she isnt in this department so she (Isumi) gets to miss work and follow me and Watanabe, my supervisor everywhere we go. She seems quite happy about it and to be honest it would be impossible without her. As a result I am now registered as a resident, have a bank account and will soon have a keitai (mobile).

Isumi and Watanabe showed me my house yesterday and by 3pm I got to unpack. Its like no house Ive ever seen, a bit like a woodland cabin. A lot of the interior has traditional paper shutters and each room opens out to the trees and small garden/school swimming pool (!). Its great to have a house thats so open because its so hot here, it does mean that I am anticipating the coldest winter ever as it has zero insulation. The other thing that surprised me is how insecure it is, barely any point locking the door really, but this is a town where people go to the supermarket and do a full shop while leaving the engine running in their car! Just because it keeps the air-con on! To be honest, from what they are saying, security is not an issue, except when it comes to the local bears...

I visited all the elementary schools and my junior high school today for a formal introduction. I gave all the headteachers my meishi (business card) and bowed furiously! The junior high took me on a tour and took me to the band practice. Its a wind band that plays every day, even in the holidays and the ability is fantastic considering they are all 14, I was very pleased. I got such an amazing welcome that I am very excited about term starting so I can go and play along!

Well, now I have to look forward to the Fukushima orientation in the Fukushima-city so that I can see all the friends I made in Tokyo again. This weekend Meredith (from the next town, Tajima) and I will head to Aizu-Wakamatsu I think. Its the nearest city famous for its castle and a tale of white samurai. To be honest we may just spend the time doing some shopping as I have hopelessly few things in my house. I have to work out what to do with my spare room though first.

Oh, and I get my car today, its a Subaru Impreza sports wagon...very nice. I have to learn how to drive an automatic first though!

Will update you soon...