Aichi is the place to be...

Another weekend has come to an end here in Aichi. It seems that every one of them has been packed with adventures and new and interesting people. For instance, yesterday night I met Ben, a former JET who is now unemployed and collecting EI and is living for free in a warehouse somewhere in the mountains... We're a random and sketchy, but lovable crowd.

The gang here in Aichi has already become pretty cozy. People are starting new romances, while the rest of us are busy playing guitar and swimming in rivers.

We're all able to get together from all over the prefecture due to the amazing train system (although I got totally lost today on my way home!) and because of the cars that the "mountain folk" have. We are always up to something on the weekends. I haven't spent any time lounging about the apartment on a Saturday afternoon in quite awhile... which is great, because we are visiting temples, climbing mountains, and just generally getting to know one another.

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On another note... I have begun school... stay tuned for photos and stories of the kids! They're GREAT!!!

OH! And I experienced my very first earthquake this evening. Here I was, minding my own business watching Dirty Dancing when suddenly... the whole apartment started to shake. I immediately opened the door to the apartment, because that's what you should do so that you have an unblocked exit... and I watched the telephone lines ripple. It lasted maybe... 20 - 30 seconds. It thankfully came to an end...

We are actually due for a MAJOR earthquake in the area. They claim it will be over 6.0 on the scales, and everyone is pretty much on alert. It's important to keep a backpack of supplies close by, and a sturdy table to climb under. Now that I have experienced one minor tremor, I am tempted to go into Toyohashi (the city next door to me) and try out their earthquake simulator. I think it could prepare me for something major, and just take a bit of the panic out of it for me!

Hope everyone is well! Kampai! (Cheers!)