Getting settled in nicely at Nagasaki Gaidai. It's a small university, but certainly nice. As for Nagasaki itself, it's more gorgeous than I can ever have imagined. Very mountainous, and lots of trees everywhere. To get to class from the dorms, I have to go up a huge hill, this is going to be really good exercise.

For orientation we were shown around the campus, enjoyed lunch, and took a Japanese language placement test, which I think I did very well on.

Everyone's been so courteous and accommodating, whenever I have questions someone is always willing to help. Tomorrow I have another day of orientation, after which I'll get a chance to do some exploring. Going to go to Sumiyoshi Shrine, I think. I lost the charm I got at Kushida, so I need a new one anyway. I've already had plenty of opportunities to practice my Japanese, and I only see that increasing as I step outside the university into the city itself.

Now, below are some pictures I took in Hakata:

Entrance to the Kushida Shrine

A float at the Kushida Shrine

One of the torii at the shrine

Took this picture at a rest stop between Hakata and Nagasaki

I'll post more tomorrow.