It`s over a week since I wrote last and quite a lot has happened to me in that time. Last Sunday evening I gave a speech (yes, you heard me correctly!) to the Gotenba International Association (GIA) about my trips and expericnes so far in Japan. I basically used my photographs to talk about what has happened to me since arriving here. Although it has only been four months, it has seemed much longer. About 35 people came to listen to my ramble which I hope was interesting (including some of my students!) - I tried to include a few anecdotes about my trip so far and I guess they were understood because the audience kept laughing - but then again, maybe they were just being polite!

At the end of the speech I took some questions - it felt a bit like what I imagine a press conference would be like - all eyes focused on one person - me! - camera flashes at regular intervals, and the GIA officer translating from Japanese into English and vice versa - the only thing lacking was a microphone. I tried to make my answers to the questions as genuine and honest as possible, and, thankfully, no-one asked me any really personal questions. All in all I had a great time and really enjoyed myself. I guess I am a bit famous now - or maybe I am still dreaming!

What else has happened? Well, I keep reading about my friend Dan`s exploits in New Zealand (he is currently at the back-end of a long trip down-under and will return to the UK soon) - and wish my journal could sound as interesting. I guess travelling somewhere is a little different to living somewhere as the former situation allows you to experience far more in a shorter period as you don`t have the `work` thing to worry about! I would like to be in the UK for when he arrives home but that will not be possible. I would really like to go to New Zealand someday - I know many people who have visited there and they all say it`s amazing.

This weekend is pretty quiet for me although I am going to a party tonight which should be fun. Last night we had an impromptu GEOS party which was fun and then we did the mandatory karaoke session but my voice seemed a little out of tune - maybe I`ve been talking too much lately in class breaking the old 20/80 rule - not sure. The Golden Week holiday seems a distant memory now as we`ve been back at work for two weeks already. I think you can probably tell I have no idea what to write about at this point so I am starting to ramble. To avoid the possibility of anyone getting bored, I am going to say `cheerio` and bid you good day! Hopefully, the next time I write, I can indulge you with sometime a little more tantalizing.

Remember, you can see my photos at the following address: http://photos.yahoo.com/comeinjapan

Ciao!

I guess I should let you know what I have been doing for the past three weeks as I haven`t been in the writing mood lately. I have had a holiday from work this week due to Golden Week - GEOS turn it into a full week off for us although two of the days are national holidays anyway so for them to say we actually have a full week off is a bit of a dupe, but I`m not complaining.

First a funny, and quite funny story - on Monday I went to a hot spring (onsen) in Hakone with a friend of mine - we were happily taking our hot bath when a loud moaning and squealing sound began to emanate from one of the private bath rooms - needless to say it wasn`t difficult to work out what the happy couple were doing in there - to be honest if I had been the guy I think I would have been quite proud of myself for being able to generate such a delirious reaction from his partner. Although it was kind of embarassing to listen to, you had to feel happy for her - and him too! - they were obviously having the time of their lives - and not just once but it must have been three or four times. I guess the private onsen is something to be treasured - being able to be naked together in a nice and warm private hot spring and not have to worry about anyone else must be great. Also, I guess it is kind of accepted among "onsenites" that when in private baths, couples will be couples and they will make the most of it - and why not! It wasn`t hard to work out afterwards when in the cool down area who the couple were either - if it hadn`t been for the fact that it`s a public area I guess they would have carried it on there too.

Moving away from the eroticism of the onsen, I also happened to visit Kyoto this week - the heart of the old and traditional Japan. I had no expectation of what Kyoto was like, other than from what I read in Arthur Golden`s brilliant "Memoirs of a Geisha". This book is set in Gion, a very beautiful area of eastern Kyoto, and tells the story of a `maiko` (apprentice Geisha) trying to become a Geisha in her own right. From Gotenba, it takes just short of four hours to get to Kyoto - but actually taking the Shinkansen is fun in itself and instead of feeling stressed out when you arrive after a long journey (as I guess you would in England), you actually feel pretty good and in a good mood. During the day, we visited the Golden Temple (Kinkaku-ji), Kyoto castle (Nijo-jo), and walked around numerous other temples and parks, as well as strolling through Gion and having our picture taken with a couple of Geisha (or maybe they were Maiko - not sure) - pictures to follow soon. I have to say that this area of Kyoto is what I imagined Japan to be like - and I think its the impression most foreigners have of what Japan is meant to be like - I really cannot say that I have ever visited such a big city and felt as relaxed as I did last Friday, and even just walking by the river was a joy in itself - so relaxing and reassuring. I recommend you to visit Kyoto if you ever come to Japan.

Moving onto today, and after my Japanese class this morning, my Japanese teacher (Yuko) and her husband helped me to move the sofa and coffee table that they have so kindly donated to me (due to them renovating their home) to my apartment. Yuko has also made me covers for the sofa and my futon - they look great - and as well as that they are purple - my favourite colour. Yuko`s husband (Junichiro) also taught me how to play "Mahjong" - an ancient game of Chinese origin - a game which I have always wanted to know how to play. I think I understood everything he said (which had to be translated into English!) but the scoring system is quite complex so I am not 100% sure about it. I actually won the first game we played - beginner`s luck I guess. I hope I have the chance ot play it again in the future and although it is meant for four players, we only played with three! So I guess the invisible player could have actually won - no-one will ever know. So as well as having language classes, I can learn about Japanese culture, which I have to say is very interesting.

So thats all for today - I will post some more pictures of my adventures soon - and give you some more news. One last thing, United ar the champions! I have to say I had written them off just after Christmas but from what I gather they have played some amazing football recently (it`s a shame i can`t get to see it here!) - it just goes to show what I know about the game - but I will say that I am the kind of person who likes to be proved wrong. Until next time, take care of yourselves.