I'm not dead...yet (names have been changed for people's protection)

24 hours of travel later and I safely arrived at Lisa Simpson's house in Gyouda (Left 9:30 am Monday and arrive 8:30am Tuesday morning). I have to say I was seriously delirious by the time I got here. I tripped 3 times coming in the door, not including the number of times I dropped my suitcases in the train station (finally some nice Brazilian mother talked her son into lugging my suit cases onto the train...all the Japanese people were just staring at me). Somehow though I managed to carry a 50lb suitcase up the stairs without damaging ANYTHING.

I also survived my first night sleeping on a futon. Well, not techincally because I slept on top of the comforter ontop of the futon (the futon was as thick as my sleeping bag). Fortunately my pillow arrived safely, so I didn't have to use a traditional pillow (it's bean filled...not my idea of a good night's rest). Once I wrapped myself in the thickest blanket provided to me I was out cold...literally cold. But once the space heater got to my side of the room I was toasty.

Of all the amazing technological advances, the one that the Japanese haven't seemed to master yet is central heating and cooling. Not to mention the lack of insolation. It's like they nailed a bunch of ply-wood together and wall papered it and said, voila house (sorry japanese keyboard and I can't figure out how to use all of the functions). Outside of my room, the rest of the house is so cold I can barely stand to leave my room for more than 5 minutes (about the amount of time it takes before hypothermia sets in). You would think that by moving my fingers I would be able to keep the blood flowing, but it isn't working. Actually, I'm going to have to stop because my fingers feel like they're about the snap off (like breaking icicles).

Tonight I'm playing futbol (a.k.a soccer) with the other teachers. For those of you who know about my adversion to running, know that this statement in and of itself is humourous. For those of you who have played ultimate frisbee with me are probably feeling pity for the other teachers. I promise today I will try not to hurt myself or other people. I mean, I just met these people...I can't let them see how competitive I am quite yet. Off to get the blood pumping!! Go team USA ;-)