Interesting date! Good date to start documenting our journey in japan.. and possibly further. So we arrived yesterday at around midday. It was so surreal. Walking from Iwama train station to the Uchideshi had always been the dream start of our journey so actually doing it felt so strange. I was particularly exhausted from probably no more than 2 hours restless sleep on the plane. Simon had a lot more than me. Next time we have agreed to fly during the day or it's drugs for me. 

So we arrived and dumped our stuff at the uchideshi residence (above right). Simon was very much feeling like it was a homecoming but he was also anxious. The Japanese 'way' is of great importance to him & so foreign to me. Something we will both need to adjust to. Simon is very proud to be part Japanese. I am stubborn but want to fit in for my his and my sake. 

Both Hisako San (Sensei's wife) & Matomi San (Sensie's sister) were helpful (to say the least) from the start. There were some pre-arranged places for us to look at but we couldn't see them until today. 

So we spent the rest of the first day wandering the streets of Iwama & sleeping. I LOVE the shops here. Fascinated by the produce. We have been given a private room in the uchideschi residence (above left) with its own toilet (funny how little things like that make a huge difference to your comfort levels). Even after a 3 hour nap I was still in bed by 8pm... read then asleep by 9pm. Woke up to a large earth quake during the night then awoke at 8am. Simon had his first training this morning and then we went to Hisako San's place (Sensie's place, whom is returning this evening from Manila) and she took us to the real estate agency then drove us to see 2 places. The first was Adam and Melissa's (friends of ours that lived here) old place... we were amazed. It was bigger than our old apartment in West Melbourne. Then to another place that was a dump... although for some reason they really wanted us to take it. I learnt afterwards that there were other people interested in our place so he wanted to possibly try to secure both sales.

Anyway, we found out this afternoon that we got the place that we liked. It is BRILLIANT, 2 story, 3 bedroom or 2 bed bedroom with a study. Not small 'Japanese' style room's either. There is also a funky room off one of the bedrooms that could be used as a study... so LOADS of space. Out door area on all 4 sides of the house with a drive way. It over looks grassy fields and its only 3 minute walk from the Dojo, 6 minutes walk from Sensei's house. PERFECT. Simon has been feeling excited but anxious but as soon as we landed that house he totally lightened up.

We get the keys tomorrow and we can move in. It needs furnishing so we will start that process tomorrow.

I called Garry this afternoon to tell him as I am soooo pleased that I have somewhere to offer them to stay ... and whomever else wants to come!!

Iwama itself is ... hard to explain! It's not ugly but not amazingly pretty either. It is very quiet ... unbelievably (literally) secure & safe. Not much to it really. 

I am not experiencing any real culture shock at all... I don't think. The language is the biggest barrier. I am determined to learn it. I have started a note pad of things that I am learning and John, of the the students has lent me a computer translator but I need to learn Hiragana to use it which I will do. I am still very determined. 

The lead up to our departure was awesome. We felt so loved. Due to Marnie's Mum death we got to spend a lot of time with them and Garry. There were tears all round when we said goodbye & I am already missing Garry so much I could cry. I guess that is because we have been through so much .. I am so proud of him.. and I also know, more than ever I feel how proud of me he is. 

I cant wait to move into this place! It's the first place that Sampy and I will have moved into together. I cant wait to decorate it :)

We were walking back to Sensei's house today and it started to rain & a young woman stopped her car and insisted we take her umbrella ... I LOVE this place.