Welcome to Yokosuka

When I was told I was moving to Yokosuka, I spent days looking up this city. I was pleased with what I saw. It’s a nice ocean town, home of an American naval base, and the weather didn’t seem absolutely ridiculous.

I wasn’t expecting it to be this beautiful. Not at all.

Yokosuka reminds me of Tenby. We were driving to my place, in the furthest suburb in the city, Tsukui, and I just kept gasping in surprise and awe. It’s so beautiful here. The main city is gorgeous. When they were paving the roads, they mixed blue stones into the pavement, so the roads are all speckled blue. Downtown has the prettiest sidewalks and streets. There are a lot of foreigners here, so even though it’s still very Japanese, I get the feeling the support will be here if I need it. Or, at least, if I look for it. That’s why I’m here, after all. That’s why all of us are here. The Board of Education hired enough Interac teachers to be placed at every elementary school in the city, from the sounds of it. Yokosuka wants to be as international as the people living in it. In a few years time, perhaps people won’t have the same troubles I will in the city, stumbling over what little Japanese they know to get through a conversation. People will be able to ask, “Do you speak English?” and there will be a whole group of then teachers working in shops, able to nod and smile, thankful that they were taught at such a young age.

One can only hope, at least.

But, like I said, Yokosuka is gorgeous. My apartment is amazing. It will take some getting use to, because it’s different. I don’t have a mattress, I have a futon. I’m sure my shopping helper was just trying to be helpful, suggesting the cheapest… But my mattress is very hard, and very thin. Here’s hoping it won’t be TOO bad… I can’t really afford to by a new under mat. Not for a few months, at least. This area is absolutely insane. The roads are only big enough for scooters it seems. I really want a scooter. Really really badly. The houses are built one atop another it seems. It’s so crowded, I feel like everyone can hear what I’m doing. My neighbours in this building are an old couple. I don’t see how two people live in this place. I can hardly fit myself. Lets ignore the fact I’m already imagining a futon couch right next to the window, and small set of shelves. Eventually, I’ll get to Ikea, and someone will help me bring my dream couch home. 😀 Aka, the cheapest couch I can get that doubles as a bed for the days when I manage to convince friends to come down for the weekend. Speaking of which, seriously, people need to come down here. it’s so pretty. And I’m only an hour away from Tokyo!

Anyways. More about my place. I live in Tsukui, which is like a suburb between Yokosuka and Miura, the beach city. I can hear the ocean from my place, and there is this amazing mix of old and new. My apartment is only a few years old, but right next door is an ancient temple. This photo here is taken from the top of my stairs. The big temple looking building is… a big temple.　It’s at the top of the road when you turn up to get to my place. When I first saw it, I squealed, I was so excited. I’d only been to one or two before, and they were both closed. It always surprises me where you find temples in Japan. Yesterday, I was walking down the outdoor mall by Bashamichi, and I see an orange tori, which means there’s a shrine down that path. I was so surprised, because it was tucked in between a mobile phone shop and a grocery store. I wandered down, and tried to take photos, but it was too dark, and even my amazing camera could do nothing. All I have to offer are the photos of my place. I won’t post them all in this post, but here is the link to my Facebook album. I do plan on upgrading my Flickr account up to a pro account. Right now, the account is full, and I don’t have space for my Japan photos, despite fact that’s where I’d rather have them on there.

Tomorrow is my first day of work. I’m really nervous! I’m in with the 6th years, so they have a little English. We’re probably going to spend the class doing introductions. The 6th years have to study greetings and different countries during June, so we’ll probably study Canada, and I might see what we can do for other countries. I brought my Welsh flag to Japan, so maybe I’ll use that some time.

Anyways, time shower then bed.