Matsue

Hollo!
Just a quick note because I am in an Internet cafe over on the mainland. I got here yesterday and it is lovely hanging out with another kiwi! I am staying with Nic who was the Japanese teacher at Hutt High (well after our time to those fellow HVHS personnel)
I spent today wandering round a very old castle and a rather dilapidated English style mansion thing that replaced lots of samurai structures when it became the done thing to modernise just over a century ago. I spent the afternoon biking in a storm that even Japanese people mistook for a typhoon! much fun. very wet.
On Saturday I met the Japanese learning club on Oki. They are a lively bunch of Filipino women and I think it is going to be a fun class! We had a BBQ at which I was plied with alcohol from 11am and then given several children to watch. My new best friends are 3 and 5. I'll see if I can load the photos.
I'll be here until Sunday so I don't think I'll get another chance to write. Am looking forward to Wednesday and Thursday night in a hotel with delightful air-conditioning. Mmmmm. Sweet cool air.
Must go as the Internet cafe very expensive (but has all you can drink slushies and tea)