JUL. 28-31, 2002 - After being accepted into the JET Program, drinking with friends and saying my goodbyes, I was on coach-class from Los Angeles International to Narita International Airport. The JET Program Orientation put all 'group A' assistant language teachers (ALTs) in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo that weekend. Two days of workshops and orientations and then the deployment of JET Program ALTs throughout the country. While I attended the workshops, fellow ALT Alex did the "smart" thing - took the JR around Tokyo and even explored Akihabara - a place I wanted to visit since I had learned of its existence. I missed out this time. Once we were done with Shinjuku, Kitakyushu City ALTs got together for the first time and found our new homes.

There were many things about Japan (mostly modern and or urban) I was curious about and that's why I wanted to go in the first place. This was my chance.

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