Voyage Junkie

It has been some time since my last post.  Matt and I are frantically cleaning and packing, getting rid of things and making seemingly endless runs to the post office.  It hardly seems like it's been nearly two years since we first laid eyes on our temporary home, yet here we are, at the end of our run as ALTs.  I won't miss the job, but I will miss the friends we made here.  Japan affected me deeply and I am grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and travel in this incredible country.  There will be time for reflective essays later, when we have toured Europe and are again in the ranks of America's unemployed youth... for now we must continue packing and cleaning. To keep you busy as you wait for the thrilling conclusion of our world travels (did I mention we have quite the itinerary planned?), here are some shots from this year's plum blossom festival in Bairin Koen.  We visited on March 11, 2012, which you may know was the first anniversary of t...

About two days ago, an 8.9 earthquake struck 80 miles off the coast of Japan, causing a tsunami to strike the northeast coast.  Gifu is very far away from this event, and as yet has seen none of the suffering.  There of course is concern over the nuclear power plants and their possible meltdown; if this comes to pass Matt and I might be faced with the daunting task of leaving.  So far, people are calm and going about their daily lives.  Stores are stocked, there are no shortages of food, water, essentials, or gas.  Our water, electricity, and gas are fully functioning.  I imagine this country will do a good job responding to the tragedy and that response will contain the suffering to those directly affected.  Matt and I are, of course, keeping ourselves tuned to all news we can get.  At the earliest warning signal, we are prepared to do whatever is necessary.  Otherwise, we will continue to live just like everyone else.  One exceptio...