I can't believe that I'll be leaving for Japan in a little over a month. I've really got to get those Japanese in ten days tapes out and dust them off.

I have all kinds of things to do to prepare for my trip.. JFMF has requested that I bring business cards printed in Japanese and English. Apparently in Japan, business cards are a pretty big deal - they are called "MEISHI" , and are used during introductions, etc. I am also still looking for the perfect pair of slippers that will go with everything, and I'm pretty sure they aren't available in Missouri. In Japan, it is customary to remove your shoes to go in to public buildings, as a sign of respect, and I imagine it cuts down on dirt. (I wish I could train my kids to do this one, but I think it's a lost cause.)

I am particularly excited that a list serv has now been set up, and I've been able to talk to other participants about the upcoming trip. During our stay we will only have one day that is actually 'ours' - free to do as we wish. If I were anywhere else, I'd probably say that sleep would be a high priority! I'm thinking that I'll take the train to Kyoto, the ancient capitol city of Japan, and visit the shrines and temples there.

This summer I learned that my host city was Unzen, Nagasaki. Nagasaki was bombed during world war 2. It is also one of the southern most islands of Japan and has more of a Florida climate. I will be staying with a host family for several days. I'm really looking forward to my stay there.