Arrival in Ishikari

And I'm finally here in Ishikari, after an eventful trip from Tokyo to Sapporo. Here's the story...I'm going through security at the Narita airport, when suddenly the buzzers are going off, and the guards are all descending on my luggage. Of course, being a newby in Japan I understand 0% of what they are trying to tell me. But eventually, with the use of pictures, they communicate that there is a knife in my bag! I flatly deny this, being positively sure I would not be stupid enough to have brought a knife with me in my carry-on! But, they keep digging, and suddenly, from the pocket of my bible they produce a jack-knife! Oh my gosh...I was shocked and embarassed to say the least. I had completely forgotten that my swiss army knife was in my bible (why, I'm not sure!), and that I had moved my bible from my big suitcase into my carry-on in Tokyo due to weight balancing. So, yes, a very good start to making a good impression in Japan : ) I'll have to work on living that one down.
Anyways, I arrived safely at the Chitose airport, and was greeted by Debra (my predecessor) and three of my colleagues at the Board of Education. We had lunch together and then headed back to Ishikari...my new home!

Takese-san, Nizeki-san, Kae and me at the Chitose airport...


The first day in my new apartment....no the mess isn't mine!