Minna san, ohisashiburi ne. Hi everyone, long time no see.

I think rainy season has set in. There's a typhoon on its way and it’s been raining off and on every day for two weeks. Better not forget that umbrella.

Last weekend we went white water rafting up in the mountains. The day was organized by a fellow JET who we had never really talked to, but who turned out to be a nice guy. The owner of the company we went with was an Australian who has been here for seven years. He’s married to a Japanese woman, and although their daughter understands English, she only speaks Tosa-ben, the local dialect.

The rafting trip was 14 kilometers through almost pristine nature. The scenery was spectacular: sheer rock face shooting up from the river into the mist shrouded mountains looming overhead.

Nancy went for the longest swim of the day, maybe a kilometer through the biggest set of rapids on the river. What happened is we hit the first really big rapid, which sent this dude flying across the boat. Pandemonium ensued, with the end result being Nancy gasping for air in the frigid water. Her fear was genuine, but in the end she was bragging about the ride of her life ;-)

Other than that, not much. Pretty busy at work, but that’ll peter off in another month or so. Then it’s on to the plane again, this time headed for home sweet home. Hopefully someone (Kevin ;-)) will tape the Flames for me. I can’t believe it. A Canadian team – never mind that it’s the Calgary Flames! – in the Stanley Cup and here I am, watching sumo and sipping green tea. Oh, the injustice! Later.