Nagasaki, Japanese & Kids Training

Happy sightseeing!!! I went to Nagasaki on Sunday to meet up with Elle`s friend Steve, and had an unreal day! It was so good to have someone to go sightseeing with - much more fun that going on your own. And he was actually able to find his way around really well (as compared to me who could get lost in Ballarat!), and he had the lonely planet guide, so it was like having my own personal tour guide! Very cool!

We checked out the Atomic Bomb Museum, which was pretty confronting. It`s so hard to imagine that sort of suffering! And so hard to comprehend why people in positions of power would deem such a devastating thing a good idea! After that, we moved on to happier places - the Peace Park was cool. Also rode up a cable car to a look out, where we got a great view of Nagasaki city. Checked out Dejima - a little museum with the history of the Dutch influence on Nagasaki (very interesting, but would take too much room to write about it all), as well as China town and a few Buddist temples. Ended the day with a drink down by the ocean - a nice relax after all our walking. It was a great city, and thanks to my guide, I was able to feel like I saw all I needed despite my limited time.

I caught a bus back to Sasebo, and while waiting at the bus stop there for my bus home, I had my first real conversation in Japanese!!!!! A little old lady was sitting next to me, and started chatting. She spoke NO English, so we were just yabbering away to each other in our own languages, using big gestures, and really not communicating much. Then suddenly, I recognised something, and was like - wow, I think she`s asking where I live, and I know how to answer that in Japanese!!! And then, I recognised a few more words, and got to answer another question about how long I`ve been in Japan! Didn`t understand the rest of what she said, but it still felt unreal, being able to communicate 2 small things at least! Very exciting!

Kids Training....
On Monday I got trained to teach kids classes - not sure whether I`m excited or nervous about actually doing it! But oh well, I`m sure I`ll survive. The cool thing about the training is that it was on my day off, which means I`ll get a day in lieu in July, and can have a 3 day weekend! (I finish work at 5:40 on Sat and won`t have to go back til 4pm Wed, so 3 and a bit days!) Yay!! Contemplating whether I should pop over to Korea or travel around the island of Kyushu and see a volcano, go to some hot springs and visit Lyndal who I flew over with. Hmmm... decisions, decisions!!! Will keep you posted!

Ps - suggestions for Special Voice topics welcome!