Settling In

I think its safe to assume that the settling in stage of a long-term trip occurs when you begin to read a book for your own personal leisure. Tonight is that night for me. I got home early from a fun day at school, watched a show, had a big dinner, even had time to write this, and after I finish here I'm going to read.

Unfortunately, I don't feel as though the community has settled with me yet. Every day just walking around I get long stares. People avoid sitting by me on the trains and in waiting rooms. Bystanders stop what they're saying as I pass; the air fills with suspicion whenever I am near. Not even the street callers handing out flyers and other advertisements will approach me. It's as if I'm... a foreigner.

Odd to be a foreigner. I'm not offended by other's reactions to me, and it's not like the subtle changes in behavior are entirely unexpected -- no one's ever rude to me, they just clearly view me differently. I suppose I walk around naturally assuming that everyone will greet me warmly with a kind handshake and a shout of "Good morning red-haired person!" or something close to that. I am quite a sore thumb with my different colored hair and skin and all that. Millions of them, and only one me.

When I'm at the schools its a different story. There I am "Eigo-sensei" (English Teacher). A sensei. Me! I certainly don't act like a sensei. During class I'm a bit of a clown in front of the students. At recess I run out to join the kids, and they all chase me around, or I chase them, or we play dodgeball. They perform kancho on me! Which, while being quite the discomforting prank, is still some sign of acceptance. "We like you enough to make fun of you," is what it is. They've even started to practice their English with me outside of class, which is a great step forward.

I'm not a sensei, even if they call me one. I learn too much from the students to accept that title; they are constantly teaching me new Japanese words, showing me new games, telling me about the food, the culture, and guiding me around school. I'm more of a hired friend, which I don't mind. The only thing I dredge is the minute I have to head home. Gonna be a lot of heartbreak that day.