New Life in Kani City

Well, I have finally gotten around to writing my first blog from Japan. Damien and I arrived in Kani on Thursday evening and were met at the airport by Keith, the owner of the school. He is from Australia. He drove us to Kani City, about 90 minutes away, and we stopped in at the school to say hello to the Japanese staff and some of our co-workers. Damien and I and Keith and the Japanese manager, Miuki, got some yakitori to eat and then we spent the first nights in a nearby hotel. We moved into our apartment on Saturday. We are living here with a Canadian teacher for the remainder of the week but he hasn't been around much and then he is moving into another apartment.
The apartment is great and the city is nice. It is pretty quiet and surrounded by hills with snow covered mountains in the background. There are a lot of vegetable shops and tons of vegetable gardens all over the city. I have heard that there are lots and lots of fresh local veggies all season! We feel really comfortable here already and feel like there is a lot of potential for neat things to do and explore and fresh foods to buy.
Our coworkers are great so far. We will be working with a South African couple the most who have been here 1 year. They have been married for 2 years just like us. There is also the Canadian guy I mentioned earlier and another American and her English boyfriend in the neighboring town. We won't work with them probably but will meet them sometime soon.
We are observing classes this week and so far the students have been great and the classes are well organized and interesting. We haven't gotten our exact schedules yet but I know I will have a few off site classes that will be quite fun. I haven't driven yet but I will have to soon!!! Damien will try it tomorrow I think.
I have posted some pictures of birdlife on the local river and of the school and the apartment.
I will blog again soon!!
I miss everyone and would love to hear from you!