Kagoshima

Hey everybody,
Just got back from a great little holiday in Kagoshima, right down the bottom of Kyushu. Spent a lovely couple of days walking around the beautiful gardens, catching a ferry over to the active volcano across the bay, on Sakurajima (island), cycling on dodgy rented bikes, discovering beaches and staying in the cheapest accomodation on offer. We were on a pretty tight budget, but we still managed to do some really fun things, including seeing the first movie I've watched at an actual cinema since coming to Japan. Pirates III was good in parts, dragged in others, and included topless Jonny scenes, so nothing's all bad eh? It's going to be hard going back to work this afternoon after a bloody marvellous 4 days, but someone's got to earn the money so's I can spend it right?

Countdown is 10 days now. A few more exciting things to do in the meantime, including a day at the baseball next Sunday, where you can take in your own booze and food, so long as there's no glass or metal. The Fukuoka Hawks (otherwise known by all as the Softbank Hawks, but I simply refuse) are playing the Swallows (what kind of intimidating mascot is that we all wonder?) from I don't know where. We also have a friend from Osaka coming down to stay for a few days the weekend after. Then there's the skin-tingling prospect of many an innoculation and malaria tablet before Thailand. On top of this we also plan to have a leaving do. So it's all go.

Am both sad and excited to be leaving Japan. I'll be leaving behind some wonderful people, saying goodbye to one person in particular for a long time, but on the other hand I'll be coming home, which makes it all that much easier.

My biggest regret so far is definitely that I was too lazy and comfortable in my ignorance to make a concerted effort to learn Japanese. A few rudimentary phrases have sadly sufficed. Not that I'm making excuses, because I easily could have arranged some lessons, but everyone here is so content to put up with non-Japanese speaking gaijin, and so wanting to practice their english, that the need for Japanese only arises occasionally. Even then, you can usually get away with a stupid look and a shrug of the shoulders. This is not a good thing.

Anyway, enough with the chit chat. See you all very very soon (I hope).