Tuesday, December 2--Victory!

I’m happy to report that I survived my first solo trip to my teaching job in Honatsugi. I feel like a gladiator who has slain the lion. Who knew one successful bus ride could inspire such a feeling of power? I found the correct bus stop at the train station, and almost got off at the right stop. Actually, I disembarked one stop early (about a block away from the factory—I could see the sign up ahead) just for a chance to stretch my legs after being on the train for an hour and a half. The return ride to the station was uneventful—after nervously looking out the windows for landmarks leading up to my stop, I found out that the train station is the end of the line. This means I don’t really have to pay much attention during the ride. When everyone else starts shuffling their belongings, that is my cue to dig out my 170 yen and prepare to exit. Pretty soon, I’m going to look like a pro at this bus thing!