I can’t wait to get back and soon I will.
I’ll be landing in Osaka, Japan on June 17th. That’s right…just a few days from now.
The school year at my international school (and most other international schools around the world) finishes tomorrow. My last day of work will be this Friday and then on Sunday, myself and my family will be popping over to Japan for 2 weeks. After that, we’ll head to Canada for the rest of our summer holiday.
In early August, we’ll head back to Beijing and begin year two of our teaching contract.
My year in Beijing has been an interesting and eye-opening one.
I am very happy we pulled the trigger and made the move. The school I work at is fantastic and making this move has definitely put me in a different league professionally.
Although I won’t dwell on things, there have been some challenges to Beijing living.
That’s why heading back to Kobe will even be more rewarding. Not only is it my kids’ hometown, but a place where I feel at home.
I know Kobe well. I lived there for 10 years. I trained for many marathons running through the backstreets and nooks and crannies of the city. I feel I know it better than any place I have ever lived.
I am from Canada and have a hometown there, but Kobe feels like my second hometown.
What will I do during my time in Kobe?
I will hike, wander the streets, eat conbini onigiri, meet Just Japan Podcast listeners, met old friends, visit my old school, meet my wife’s family, watch my children’s joy s they play with old friends…
I’ll do many things and be happy.
Then we’ll be off to Canada and I’ll be happy there too.
All the time sucking up nature and breathing clean air.
I can’t wait!
The writer:
Kevin O’Shea is the host of the Just Japan Podcast. He is also the guy behind JustJapanStuff.com. Kevin is a Canadian educator who lives in Beijing, China with his family. Kevin called Kobe, Japan home for 10 years.
Follow him on Twitter: @madformaple
Instagram: @jlandkev
Facebook: Facebook.com/justjapanstuff
Email: justjapanpodcast@gmail.com
Just Japan Stuff 