I'm alive!

After a lot of hustle and bustle, we all managed to get out of Tsukuba and on our respestive trips. After a stressful couple of hours (think: 20kg packpack, a new travel friend and tokyo peak hour traffic at the station) - we made it into Nagano! The sun was out today which was amazing but so hot, and made it a challenge! Plans for tomorrow are to visit the monkey park followed by dropping Daniel off then I'm going hiking at Togajushi, to the shrine.

The hostel is great - I befriended a fellow hostel pal who is one of the loveliest people I've met and it's got a great atmosphere! So glad to be back on the road seeing new things, and meeting new people! Now, I don't want the adventure to stop! I can't wait to see the Japanese Macaques after doing so much research about them and to see the forest of Togakushi. And then next day, Kamikochi! I'm the luckiest girl in the entire world, I think! I can't even begin to count my lucky stars.

Also, last night there was an earthquake at 2am. It woke me up but I thought I was dreaming, then I woke up again. The alarm didn't go off so there was no evacuation - but it was a bit scary. No one else in the dorm seemed phased except us Aussies! Then there was another one during class and the lecturer barely stopped speaking. It was unnerving hearing a rumble and knowing it was the earth, not a train or a truck going by. I'm kind of glad I got to experience it!

Ah, now to take on the Japanese alps......finally!

Until tomorrow

xo Rach