"They Breed 'em Big Round Here..." - Being the Third Massive Missive to Friends and Family Far Far Away

... I mean it - the bugs are HUGE!

You thought godzilla and his mates were the crazy ideas of some overimaginative film-maker?

Nope. Documentary.

I think it's a humidity thing.

So who's wandering about this breathtaking landscape then?

Well - we have grass hoppers, cicadas, huge butterflies, scary-ass poisonous centipedes and other things that I'm not sure exactly what they are. All the bugs here are on average as big as my thumb with the spiders being about half that... they make up for this by building webs that are nearly 5ft wide(!). I found one trying that between my bed and the window! Needless to say he wasn't doing it for long because I gently pointed out to him the wisdom of doing it elsewhere. I suggested to Mr.S that if he took his buisness outside my room he would have far more success since the great outdoors has more flies and fewer sturdy squish-worthy articles. At which point I backed up my argument with a cup-paper-open-door-vigorous-throw combo which sealed the deal.

Now I don't know about you guys but it's been one heck of a roller coaster ride for my poor old heart. I've been flipping between feeling mighty pissed off at being so near and yet so far from the Bright Lights of the City and then catching myself with my mouth hanging open as I watch Hawks lazily drift around the sky over the sea. I think/hope this is normal.

The town I'm in is full of contrasts. There are beautiful (and I mean staggering) views of mountains, sea and forest all around it while there is also plenty of rusty machinery and industry within it. The population is pretty split between under-15s, their parents and the more mature members of Nipponese society. So far I am still waiting to meet someone of a similar age to me. This situation is vexing but I'm sure it will sort itself out in time.
\n \nWith regard to shopping, we have a couple of good size supermarkets and also a wicked bakery called Boulangerie Fleur (Flower Bakery ) which is heaven on earth for a shamless foodie like myself. The lovely ladies inside have been really friendly and, whether they like it or not, they might well be the first people outside of the school to witness my shameful excuse for converstional Japanese. : ) Added to this are a couple of handy supermarkets - the \nLiberal and (wait for it...) Super-Kinki ! Ho-ho!! How I laughed.\n \nTo be honest I am still in the process of making my mind up about how I really feel since I know that the whole cultureshock thing is going to be messing up my perceptions for a good while yet. I do feel a bit frustrated about the fact that there are not as many people around that I could talk to compared to other people who are based in more urban areas. But then I think that there may be opportunities and sights here which I wouldnt have in a more metropolitan setting. Which is more \nJapanese I wonder?\n \nAs I say it\'s still really early days yet and there are many more things that are still to be discovered. One day at a a time eh?\n \n\n\nI think getting some skill in the language might help out since I don\'t speak much more than "Hello, my name is Will" and "It\'s hot today isn\'t it?". Go-go-gadget language aquisition! I \nhave been learning to read the different alphebets (hiragana and katakana) which is fun. Kanji is still on my to-do list. The first two are syllabic-alphabets which deal with Japanese and Foreign-Import words (like \nhoteru - hotel) respectively. Kanji is similar to the Chinese style of pictograms that combine lots of meaning into a liittle space but are more complicated for little old me.\n \nFun things that have occurred recently include:",1]
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With regard to shopping, we have a couple of good size supermarkets and also a wicked bakery called Boulangerie Fleur (Flower Bakery ) which is heaven on earth for a shamless foodie like myself. The lovely ladies inside have been really friendly and, whether they like it or not, they might well be the first people outside of the school to witness my shameful excuse for converstional Japanese. : ) Added to this are a couple of handy supermarkets - the Liberal and (wait for it...) Super-Kinki ! Ho-ho!! How I laughed.

To be honest I am still in the process of making my mind up about how I really feel since I know that the whole cultureshock thing is going to be messing up my perceptions for a good while yet. I do feel a bit frustrated about the fact that there are not as many people around that I could talk to compared to other people who are based in more urban areas. But then I think that there may be opportunities and sights here which I wouldnt have in a more metropolitan setting. Which is more Japanese I wonder?

As I say it's still really early days yet and there are many more things that are still to be discovered. One day at a a time eh?

I think getting some skill in the language might help out since I don't speak much more than "Hello, my name is Will" and "It's hot today isn't it?". Go-go-gadget language aquisition! I have been learning to read the different alphebets (hiragana and katakana) which is fun. Kanji is still on my to-do list. The first two are syllabic-alphabets which deal with Japanese and Foreign-Import words (like hoteru - hotel) respectively. Kanji is similar to the Chinese style of pictograms that combine lots of meaning into a liittle space but are more complicated for little old me.

Fun things that have occurred recently include:
\n \n- Getting taken out by the Principal to a delicious Chinese restaurant. Yum!\n- Getting invited by our super-friendly English teacher Okawa-Sensei to the Hiashiura summer festival where we saw fabulous performances of Taiko drumming (which I plan to have a crack at!), excellent amazingly energetic traditional/modern fusion dancing from the South of the country which I joined in with at the end! (Very similar to Maculele but even \nmore energetic!) \n- Meeting another new ALT from Awaji today. His name is Josh and he is very nice, as is his Japanese fiance(!).\n- Finishing Around the World in 80 Days (thanks Aiden!) Inspiring adventures of the most English of English Gentlemen.\n- Finding really cheap fish (lots of fishermen round here) at the supermarket and making tasty dinner with it.\n- Planning an adventure off the Island with another ALT based nearby.\n- Watching the kids play their summer classes. So far I\'ve witnessed Soft ball, Basketball and yesterday Table Tennis. I even played myself and only just won. Against a teeny first year of 11. I felt so proud!! \nWatashi-wa itchiban-san desu!! \n \nIt\'s nearly time to go so just time for some horrendously brief personal hellos. Sorry they\'re so puny. : )\n \nTony Wright-San: I hope you had a wonderful holdiay. I bet you saw some fantastic sights! Thanks for the Haikus - they were great.\nGina & Tash: I hope you had a wicked time in Ibiza! The phrasebook has been really useful. Thank you!\nKim: I hope all\'s well and you\'re not partying too hard ; )\nSophie: Sue that crazy lady for all she\'s worth! Or at least get her to buy you a coffe or something. Hope you get well soon sweetie.\nMat O\'C: Tick-tock mate. I think ya bairn is going to have a ball. Any kid with James Bond stuff ready and waiting has to be onto a good thing!",1]
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- Getting taken out by the Principal to a delicious Chinese restaurant. Yum!
- Getting invited by our super-friendly English teacher Okawa-Sensei to the Hiashiura summer festival where we saw fabulous performances of Taiko drumming (which I plan to have a crack at!), excellent amazingly energetic traditional/modern fusion dancing from the South of the country which I joined in with at the end! (Very similar to Maculele but even more energetic!)
- Meeting another new ALT from Awaji today. His name is Josh and he is very nice, as is his Japanese fiance(!).
- Finishing Around the World in 80 Days (thanks Aiden!) Inspiring adventures of the most English of English Gentlemen.
- Finding really cheap fish (lots of fishermen round here) at the supermarket and making tasty dinner with it.
- Planning an adventure off the Island with another ALT based nearby.
- Watching the kids play their summer classes. So far I've witnessed Soft ball, Basketball and yesterday Table Tennis. I even played myself and only just won. Against a teeny first year of 11. I felt so proud!! Watashi-wa itchiban-san desu!!

It's nearly time to go so just time for some horrendously brief personal hellos. Sorry they're so puny. : )

Tony Wright-San: I hope you had a wonderful holdiay. I bet you saw some fantastic sights! Thanks for the Haikus - they were great.
Gina & Tash: I hope you had a wicked time in Ibiza! The phrasebook has been really useful. Thank you!
Kim: I hope all's well and you're not partying too hard ; )
Sophie: Sue that crazy lady for all she's worth! Or at least get her to buy you a coffe or something. Hope you get well soon sweetie.
Mat O'C: Tick-tock mate. I think ya bairn is going to have a ball. Any kid with James Bond stuff ready and waiting has to be onto a good thing!
\nDave Hood: Ichiban san! Ichiibaaaan SAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! \nMum, Dad, Di & all the rest o\' the clan: Thanks for all the updates they are much appreciated. Good luck for the 50th!!\nLee: I wish you could see these bugs mate. The moths could carry you off.\nBarney: I imagine by now you might have heard one way or the other. What\'s the story dude?\nAnna: Yeah right you\'re missin me! One fewer smelly boy about the place. : ) The Mr Scruff towel is now a Most Excellent shade for my bed lamp. It looks awesome!\nPelicano: Thank you so much for your mail! I\'ve been showing the site to all the teachers here and they are very impressed by Capoeira so I think I\'ll show the children too. Please give my love to the class. I miss them lots. \n\nVane: Keep on trucking darlin!! You can totally do it!\nLauren: It\'s all gone a bit quiet eh? I\'m sure it\'ll get a touch more exciting in a few weeks.\nMatt: Ace photos! No worries about not meeting up earlier - that\'s what the internet\'s for.\nMish: Good luck in the interviews sweetie!\nMike: You too! Your voice o\' wisdom is most soothing. Thanks.\nMaz and Graham Thompson: So Sorry I\'ve not been in touch sooner. What an ass I am...\nAris: Thanks again for the welcome. Sounds like I\'ve some mighty big shoes to fill. Good luck with the prep work - from what I\'ve seen of your stylings here it should be one heck of a do. : ) Also, the tea is an absolute \nlifesaver. Yum!\n \nGosh that\'s a lot of typing...\n \nI really must be off now. Thanks again for all your mails - they keep me sane you know. I\'ll have photos up once I have a camera.\nTill then take care and I love you all loads!!\n \nWill.x\n \n\n",0]
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Dave Hood: Ichiban san! Ichiibaaaan SAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!
Mum, Dad, Di & all the rest o' the clan: Thanks for all the updates they are much appreciated. Good luck for the 50th!!
Lee: I wish you could see these bugs mate. The moths could carry you off.
Barney: I imagine by now you might have heard one way or the other. What's the story dude?
Anna: Yeah right you're missin me! One fewer smelly boy about the place. : ) The Mr Scruff towel is now a Most Excellent shade for my bed lamp. It looks awesome!
Pelicano: Thank you so much for your mail! I've been showing the site to all the teachers here and they are very impressed by Capoeira so I think I'll show the children too. Please give my love to the class. I miss them lots.
Vane: Keep on trucking darlin!! You can totally do it!
Lauren: It's all gone a bit quiet eh? I'm sure it'll get a touch more exciting in a few weeks.
Matt: Ace photos! No worries about not meeting up earlier - that's what the internet's for.
Mish: Good luck in the interviews sweetie!
Mike: You too! Your voice o' wisdom is most soothing. Thanks.
Maz and Graham Thompson: So Sorry I've not been in touch sooner. What an ass I am...
Aris: Thanks again for the welcome. Sounds like I've some mighty big shoes to fill. Good luck with the prep work - from what I've seen of your stylings here it should be one heck of a do. : ) Also, the tea is an absolute lifesaver. Yum!

Gosh that's a lot of typing...

I really must be off now. Thanks again for all your mails - they keep me sane you know. I'll have photos up once I have a camera.
Till then take care and I love you all loads!!

Will.x