Getting There is Half the Fun.. Literally.

You know that whole saying about how the journey is more important than the destination or something like that? I'm choosing to believe that isn't so true.
The flight was direct, which was nice but 12 hours is a long time when one doesn't feel so good. My mom reminded me before my flight that part of the adventure is watching how God works out all the little details and this definitely happened. I met up with another new teacher at the gate and she told me that since she had been working in China for 10 years she liked small confined spaces (crazy pants!) and was wondering if I would trade my window seat for her Emergency Exit aisle one? Um.. yes! So that was ideal. I had so much legroom and also easy access to the bathrooms.. which was necessary as I did my sick and fainting thing a bit. That only happens the odd time but it's happened enough that I think I need to request an aisle seat from now on. But this is all quite dull...

After getting off the plan I randomly met a lady who works at another school in Japan and her husband who works at the boys school down the road from mine. They were super nice and gave me their contact details and said if I ever need anyone to drive me to IKEA or want a nice house to hang out in to give them a call and we'll hang out. Isn't that nice? People here are so nice! 

OK so we were met at the arrivals gate by a nice lady who has been in Japan for almost 20 years. She had a group of other new teachers waiting with her and we were all ushered out into the humid Tokyo air towards a school bus. The bus was good. I thought I had brought a lot but get the luggage of a few single girls and a family and you've got  reason for a bus!

We arrived at the hotel and dropped our bags and then went out for dinner with our group plus a few other teachers who had arrived earlier. On the school of course! Everyone so far has been so nice. Our hotel is great and we can stay here until we find the perfect apartment.. as long as we want. The school also has stocked our hotel fridge with nice goodies, breakfast treats, fruit, cheese, milk so that's a nice touch.

So far the vibe has been positive. Everyone seems happy and kind and excited to be here. The veterans seem friendly and helpful and I think it's all going to be a fine fine experience. All of us had good feelings during our Skype interviews and believe that we've found a really great place to work. This is all good.

I'm off in a little bit to start looking at apartments and tonight we're all going for a big Japanese dinner.
Once I start getting "oot and aboot" I'll take some photos and show you the sights but just wanted to let you know that all seems to be well and good for me in Tokyo this morning!