Rising Sun

March 16th: The last valid day of my Russian visa and as I had been forwarned, I was briefly checked for my registration details but generally the atmosphere in the tiny departure area of Vladivostok airport's international terminal was very friendly. A little too friendly really, as it wasn't long before I picked up a new travelling companion. I had been informed by Vladimir that most Russians flying out of the country from Vladivostok are sailors on their way to rendezvous with a their international crews in places like Singapore, Yokohama or Shanghai. My new friend Misha, was one of these individuals.

After the customs officials had cleared my departure and I had relieved my slightly nervous bowels, I was treated by, or more accurately forced by Misha to drink several beers with him before boarding the plane. He was obsessed with asking me one question: "Sam, who are you!" He incessantly demanded that I answer this question never content enough to believe me when I told him I was just a lowly teacher on my way to work in Japan. Anyway he was quite entertaining for a while and I must admit I was a little tipsy by the time we boarded.

By late afternoon, I was in Seoul's international airport and had somehow managed to shake off the attentions of the Russian 'Popeye'. I would be meeting my new boss for the first time that evening and didn't really think it was such a good idea to turn up completely wasted.

It wasn't long before I had my first taste of Japanese life and culture. Whilst waitning at the gate in Seoul the sumo was being broadcast on television screens and I was clearly the only foreigner or at least the only caucasian, getting on the plane bound for Nagoya. Feeling rather conspicuous, my nerves began to reach a climax. I hadn't had the time to go through all the official channels before leaving the UK, so I had no valid work permit and was about to arrive in Japan as a 'tourist' with a lot of 'stuff'. I had been warned that the Japanese customs officials would probably stop me and search my bag for any indication that I intended to find work once I was in the country. Indeed they did, but they seemed more interested by the fact that I had travelled across Russia to get there, but I was asked why I needed so many pairs of shoes.
Fortunately I wasn't deported and instead granted entry.

It was all smooth sailing, from this point onwards, I arrived, met my new employers and was taken to my new flat. In the morning sun, I went for my first explorations around Kakamigahara city. The very fact that I had a fantastic view of Inuyama castle, one of Japan's oldest, from the steps exiting my apartment had me feeling giddy with excitment to finally be in my personal 'Mecca'.

I was fortunate enough to arrive in perfect time for the cherry blossom season and the Inuyama festival which was quite something. However it seems I of the age now where the novelties of being in a new and fascinating place for the first time don't last as long as they once did. The realities of starting a new life here in such a rushed fashion, soon set in. I was poor, unable to speak to anyone outside the country and suddenly felt very isolated. This situation wouldn't be somewhat resolved until I was more legitimate. And to become more legitimate I would have to go to Korea!