The countryside is much greener than I had expected. Chiba has more rural landscapes than Osaka, that's for sure. Heads still buzzing with sleepiness, I was thankful for the heavy air conditioning in the van--it's muggy out today!

We started at the high school where I met the office staff and principal and signed papers and paid money for our first month's rent and moving in, etc. I also met Louise, my co-ALT.

Our apartment is small but lets in abundant light and with the screen windows open it might be breezy enough to keep us from feeling sticky. No curtains. No fans. No carpet (tatami, though!). Electric outlets are scarce. The walls are the old wattle and daub style. Kitchen sink is big enough. Stove is not. Two burners and the "oven" part is either a practical joke or we'll only be using it as a toaster! The building we're in was built in 1972, I believe. Right now the humidity is such that if you walk on our kitchen flooring barefoot, it feels like it will come off the floorboards. The neighborhood is peaceful and looks safe.

We're excited to get out and begin exploring our new town...after it cools off.

The supervisors took us to Coco's to cool off a bit. Had Calpis from the drink bar. Will come back often, I think.

written by  tokealt on August 9, 2004 from Toke, Japan
from the travel blog: 日本 2004-2007
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Yukata robes in the closet. We tried them on and are watching some Japanese TV. L's got on some children's anime.

Get this: the double room has two twin-size beds pushed together! Otherwise it's just a big hotel room! (Actually, a lot like a suite. There's an entryway, a dining room, a living room space and the beds, all sorted in an L-shaped layout.)

written by  tokealt on August 8, 2004 from Narita, Japan
from the travel blog: 日本 2004-2007
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