I can't believe I've been here in Japan for exactly four months now. I can't believe I haven't written anything about it! Perhaps because there are far too many stories to tell. Practically everyday something happens here. And the weekends? Oh my god. I can't even begin to describe them. Last Friday I was out until 6am. The next night I was out until 10am! I am constantly meeting new people. Here in Sapporo I know pretty much all the bartenders, gaijin, and many Japanese girls. This city is very small so you get to know everywhere and everyone pretty quick. I can go out by myself anytime and can be pretty much guarenteed to run into someone I know to hangout with. My keitai, cellphone, is bulging with phone numbers and memories of crazy nights ... read more

I'm really digging it here in Sapporo. I've been very busy the past few days trying to figure this place out. I am hardly ever in my apartment because I am constantly going out in an effort to meet new people, both Japanese and foreign. When I am at home I'm usually studying Japanese. I have a TV, but I don't plan on getting it hooked up anytime soon. There is a VCR that plays VHS tapes. Hopefully I can get somebody to tape college basketball games and send them over to me. Saturday morning definitely was interesting. I woke up and walked over to the school. Everything was going great, but when I got into the building the door to the office was locked so I was able to deactivate the security system. You have ... read more

As I lie here at 2am in my welcoming room I am aware that from here on out everything changes. You see tomorrow morning at 9am I get in the family car and speed off to the airport. There I will catch a plane to Sapporo, Japan to begin my new life as an expatriate in a land I cannot comprehend at the moment. I haven't set off like this in six years!! I can't believe that everything that I have been working for the past five years has come to fruition. Ever since I got back from 2001 I have been looking to move to somewhere more exotic, somewhere different. I could have left immediately and become a teacher of the English language, but I wanted something more substantial. Something that would give me better ... read more

I couldn't resist adding one last note. On my last night I met this awesome Colombiana and wound up spending my entire last day with her. It could possibly have been my favorite day of the trip. Who am I again? After the two of us finally parted ways, around 5pm, I set out one last time down the main aveneida in Bocagrande to take it all in and grab some dinner. Once again, the colors and sounds rushed past me. But no more were they the senses of the unknown. I had become part of the scene. I felt at home and a rush of a traveler's sense of accomplishment poured over me. I lingered over my food while I savored the humid air. I watched all the people milling about, getting ready in anticipation ... read more

I would have to say that this has been the lazy portion of my trip. I have spent all weekend here and done absolutely nothing. That it is because there really is nothing to do around here during the day. I lie around watching TV, listening to music, and taking naps. Luckily this is a great hostel for that. With cool tropical breezes and an open air lounge that makes you feel like you’re on a veranda in amongst the rainforest. My only activity during the day is going to the main area to find some food to eat. The food is delicious and cheap. I just had three empanadas, a pepsi, and a huge ball of meat, potato, and other stuff all fried up for only $1.50. It is funny how a place that ... read more