Wednesday

A typhoon was scheduled to come in the low plains area of Honshu which is where I live. For some reason I couldn't seem to take it very seriously. The first week we were here we had another typhoon that did not really affect our area so I guess we thought it would be the same. That morning we were awakened and told that classes were cancelled. The rain was coming down fairly hard and the wind was vicious. However it lightened up a bit, so Kim and I decided to go to the store and buy some supplies. Naturally, after we get to the store it starts pouring and the wind picks up. Thankfully, we walked instead of trying to ride our bikes, which would have been a complete disaster.

[A quick warning for anyone going to Japan. The sidewalks are liars, do not trust them. Even though they look sturdy and made of concrete, well they are, but they will rise up in a storm/ flood and destroy you. Stay on the regualar flat part if you can help it. And if you are foolishly going out during a storm wear shorts.] 

We made it back in one piece abet very wet and shivering. Later we found out that seven people died in that storm. It kind of brought it into perspective that although Japan is a beautiful country things can still happen so as a foreigner I should be more careful about where I roam.