Here we are just one week out from having forty fresh new faces on the
island. Another week on from that and we’ll have our eighty plus intake of
new JETs arrived and ready to get on with their Hokkaido lives. Much as I
hate saying goodbye to friends, meeting the newcomers is always a thrill,
and a good excuse for a new haircut (I’m not sure why).

What better way to capitalize on all of this excitement than by coming down
for meet and greets at the Sapporo Welcome Enkai (Monday, 19th August at
Kirin Beer Garden). We’re hoping for a bumper welcome party this year and
would love as many ‘remaining’ JETs to come down as possible. If that idea
doesn’t float your boat, then I still urge people to come and have a
looksee at the Sapporo Beer Gardens, open from last weekend and brimming
with happy folk enjoying beer and good times in the parklands.

On to more ‘serious’ matters, those of you staying on need to ensure
that your visa and gaijin card have not yet expired. If they have, get to
fixing them ASAP by contacting your nearest immigration office for
visa-related matters or your local municipal office to re-energise your
alien registration. Also, folk who have just seen out their first year will
need to be aware that your international drivers license is only valid for
ONE YEAR extending from the date of issue, so either take that test or get
the paperwork done for you to switch to a Japanese Drivers License of your
very own.

For success stories on taking the driving test, head to hokkaidojets.org
and login to reach the Shooting the Breeze, where you can read others’
tales of triumphs and woe on Hokkaido’s testing roads.

Take care,

Chelle