So, some people have pointed out that it has been well over a month since I've updated my blog, and that was about a month ago, so I realize I am long over due for a post. March was quiet because I was out having all kinds of crazy adventures that I plan to post about in the next two weeks since Friday kicks of Golden Week, which is several holidays grouped so close together that we almost get the entire week off.
In April the new semester started, and what with testing in Japanese 4 (thereby skipping Japanese 3), and taking two classes taught ENTIRELY in Japanese, I've had my hands a little full getting a leg up on all my new responsibilities. The upside is that my Japanese is improving by leaps and bounds on a daily basis.
Today though I wish to talk briefly about a seasonal annoyance that we get here in Nagasaki, Kousa. Literally translated it is yellow sand, but it is actually not yellow in color. Today there is a white haze that hangs in the air that almost looks like fog, but it's not, it is very find sand that the wind has carried over here from China.
This is roughly what it looks like, and it is actually a little dark outside, but not like when it is cloudy. If any of you have been around a forest fire or anything like that where a tremendous amount of smoke is passing overhead, it's more like that. The light actually ends up being a little yellow despite the sand appearing white. It is mildly irritating to the eyes as well and so I have kept my sunglasses on most of the day when I've been outside just to keep it out of my eyes. The good news is this can't last for more than a month and a half, because once the rainy season gets here it will be too wet for the dust to fly around, I'm not really sure that's going to be a fun trade off. Also once the rainy season starts that will likely be the end of my adventures as I won't be going out in it to see sights. That leaves me about 5 weeks to go see the handful of things I still want to see in Nagasaki and then prepare for the warmest and wettest summer I've ever had to endure.
