Well, I've had a very active week, I was informed last wednesday morning that I was to go on a Summer camp with one of the local elementary schools. It was quite definitely the most fun I've had since I've arrived as I spent two days playing with 8 year olds!















We went to catch insects (massive spiders), play games, to go the onsen (hot springs), have a campfire and the next day went on a treasure hunt up in the hills of Shimogo. It was however the most exhausting two days I've ever had. Children are tiring enough, but when you can't understand them it's twice as challenging! I did get the opportunity to make a speech to many of the local residents of Shimogo though (with a translator) so I feel sufficiently accepted into the community. Things are much easier when people are familiar with you and I think it's very important for me to show some thanks because the respect I get in return for being a Sensei (teacher) is incredible.














On Thursday night I was invited to a festival in Aizuwakamatsu by a guy named Yui-san who works in my town hall. He was quite anxious for me to meet his children as they were starting to study English. It was very nice to stay with a Japanese family, especially because they are quite young parents so were lots of fun too. The festival was fantastic and involved the men carrying a large float with two Geisha on it through the town. As we carried it through the streets they threw money at people and in return buckets of warm water were thrown over the procession! We were soaked and the weight of the float on my shoulder gave me a massive bruise, but it was an amazing experience. Afterwards we went to another Onsen. It seems that no public occasion in Japan is complete without everyone taking a bath together! It is quite nice though, as its a very social occasion and I stopped feeling awkward very quickly.




This weekend I went to Iwaki which is directly east by the sea. It's nice to get out to a city for the usual socialising. I'm definitely glad I am in the countryside however as I'm having a very different experience to most of the city folk. Me and my friend Eleanor went for a bike ride towards the sea and had a day at the beach. It was a lovely day as the waves are massive and the weather was great, unfortunately I got extremely sunburnt as the sun was really strong! The best thing about this was to be able to navigate myself around easily and get to know the prefecture, definitely a useful thing when people are spread around so much.

Right now I'm in Fukushima city at the local orientation week. It's a lot of fun with lots of workshops and parties. This weekend I go back to Aizuwakamatsu for a homestay and language course before I end up back in Shimogo for the start of the school term. The good news is that Yui-san, his friend Takashi and I (from the festival last week) are now great friends and we now have plans for a party at mine next week. So I have to play the host for once!

Oh, and for those of you that like Whisky (I'm thinking mainly Scott, Jim and Derrick) I just found a foreign alcohol store in Fukushima city and bought a 700ml bottle of Glenlivet for less than £10. It made my day!

Love to you all...