So the day had arrived! I was finally heading toward Soja and more importantly, to my new home. After an early start, we flew to Okayama airport to meet with our Board of Education representatives. It was explained the night before that we had to perform a brief introduction to the representatives upon arrival in Okayama. I thought this would be in a relaxed setting, but boy was I wrong!
The room was set-up in long rows of tables, each with our school’s names presented neatly at the front. Our representatives were all seated eagerly awaiting our arrival and introductions. I was suddenly very nervous!!
With only a minor stumble I was finished and the worst was finally over! Thankfully, Soja is not far from Okayama airport, and we were able to travel with my supervisor and vice principal by a nice air-conditioned car.
This evening, my supervisor had organised a welcoming dinner with the other school’s JTEs (Japanese Teacher of English). It was a great opportunity to meet the teachers in a more relaxed setting, plus share some of the differences/ similarities between Australian and Japanese culture. ‘Let’s go Dutch’ was one phrase that was discussed over dinner. The JTEs had believed this translated to ‘betsu-betsu’ or ‘splitting the bill’. I had never heard of such an expression before! However, the JTEs could not explain it’s origin either. Can anyone else help me out? I feel it is a very traditional or maybe even another Anglo-Saxon cultural phrase.
Finally returning to my home at 8PM, I was ready to collapse. Instead, I started to unpack and make my new apartment my ‘home’. It is extremely hot here in Soja, with temperatures around 33 during the day and dropping to a low of around 27! I only have an air conditioner in one room of my home. Fortunately, it is in the bedroom!
Tomorrow, I officially start work at my base school. It will also mark the day I ride a bike for the first time in 6-7 years! Wish me luck!!!
Jya ne!
