Finally! Nagasaki

It's only 9:41pm and I'm already dead tired. The JET orientation provided me with useful information on how to run class, keep a positive attitude, and ESID (every situation is different). Today was pretty long with all the traveling.

First, we had to meet at the Concord room at 8:45am. That meant me getting up at 6:45am so that I could make breakfast as it opened at 7. I wanted to do this so that I wouldn't have to wait 45 mins for elevators with the other 3000 people trying to check out. At least with early breakfast I could skip the early bird rush and finish in time before the last minute blitz. It worked pretty well because my roomates and I had no trouble doing what we wanted (including 5 min elevator trips).

At 9am the group left on charter buses for Haenada Airport (spelling?). The bus ride itself was about 1 hr 45 mins. When we arrived at the airport, I thought it was pretty small being only 2 floors. However I quickly found that the airport was built down, so technically we were on the 4 and 5th floors. The way we boarded was a little unusual because we had to take a bus across the tarmac to the airplane. The plane itself was much smaller than the one we arrived in during Tokyo. The seats were set up 3 by 3. I lucked out and got a aisle seat sitting next to another JET. The flight to Nagasaki was about 2 hours.

After arriving in Nagasaki, the Shinkamigoto group (all 3 of us) met the ALT supervisors. Before I start describing my adventure so far, let me say that these 2 supervisors have been a life saver! After picking us up from the baggage claim, we had 30 mins to relax and get something to drink before catching a bus to the ferry terminal. The terminal itself was a 30-40 min ride from the airport. When we arrived at the terminal, we bought speedboat tickets ($61) and waited for an hour before they were ready to board. May I remind you that it was a 10 min walk from the bus stop to the ferry terminal. Let me also continue saying that it was 90+ degrees while wearing a suit and lugging over 70 lbs of stuff. Needless to say that I think I lost some weight today.

(Random shots from the bus while going to the ferry terminal)

I normally don't ride boats, but here I am taking a 1 hour 30 min boat ride (this is the fastest way, no airport on my island) to Shinkamigoto. I did feel a little sea sick a couple times on the boat, little headache and stomach things, but nothing too serious. After we arrived on the port, we were greeted by Joe, the 2nd year jet, and Andrea, the first year high school ALT.

From there, it was 5 min car ride to the Hotel Marinepia to check in our luggage. After a quick drop off, it was time to go eat (first time all day and it was already 7pm). We went to this ramen place where I got a taste of the stares I'm expected to get the entire time of my stay. The ramen here was delicious! Nice thick soup with 2 pieces of beef and bean sprouts. I also had my first gyoza, which was equally delicious. While in there, some patrons recognized Joe and started asking their kids to speak in English to him. I guess when it's a small island, you'll get recognized everywhere.

My hotel room

My bathroom in the hotel

We got back to our hotel again around 9:30 where I took a shower, ironed my clothes and now typing this blog. Tomorrow should be equally busy with all the paperwork I need to finish.