I have officially completed my first week here in Japan and have gone from wild, techno-crazy Tokyo to the calm countryside of Kagoshima. The difference is stark. There are no flashing lights down here, no smog hovering over the city, no sky-scrapers. There are lots of mountains, trees, farmland, ocean and tradition. My first four days here have taken me through a range of emotions, many of which I hadn't expected to feel this early in the game. At first I was ecstatic that my area is so rural, abounding with nature and hiking potential. The people are wonderful. Even if I can't understand most of what is being said at any given time, a smile goes a long way. The food is pretty good too and the foreigners that have already been here for a
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