Letters from Yokkaichi

We spoke to Ben via Skype for about an hour this morning. He's adjusting to the jet lag and enjoying night again after his long trip. Life in a small Japanese city is taxing his language and bicycle riding skills. Despite this, he has managed to get his residency papers filed, open a bank account, sign up for cell phone service (with a third generation tech phone that has a bar code scanner that connects your phone to the web for product information while you shop) and, of course, hook up Internet service.

Ben has posted photos of his apartment, complete with a shot of his combo sink and toilet (oh, those Japanese!) at http://picasaweb.google.com/bentyndall/Yokkaichi

Ben's roommate Ross has been there a bit longer and has shots of the area around them...including the worlds largest carrots: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=35147249

Now I just need a webcam to broadcast shots back.