Arriving late July, slap bang in the middle of a hot and humid Japanese summer, I was immediately taken aback by the lush green rice paddies and dense bamboo groves which compose a large percentage of the Kamoto district. In the shelter of the surrounding mountains, it didn`t take long to realize what a unique and beautiful area I would now, as one of Kamoto`s new ALT`s, be calling home.

Seven months on, having experienced a colourful autumn and survived a cold winter under a kotasu table, we`re now entering spring. I still look in awe at the changing beauty of Kamoto and remind myself of how lucky I am to have been placed here as one of Kamoto`s nine ALT`s.

ALT`s (Assistant Language Teachers) represent nationalities and cultures from across the globe. We are placed throughout all of Japan in both high schools (junior and senior) and elementary schools. As employees of the JET programme (Japan Exchange Teaching Programme) our aim is to help promote international understanding and cultural exchange whilst enhancing foreign language education.

With spring fast approaching, the Scots are perhaps only now bringing their New Year revellry to an end! Well maybe not, but Scotland is the `home` of New Year celebrations and the Scots love to party!

New Years Eve, December 31st, in Scottish dialect `Hogmanay`. A time for excessive over indulgence and week long parties, undoubtably Scotland`s biggest annual festival. In Edinburgh, the nations capital, and Scotlands larger cities, Hogmanay involves months of planning and preparation as the competition begins: Which city will outshine the other with the biggest and best fireworks? and Which city will attract the biggest crowds?

Edinburgh never fails on both and has over the years become the number one spot to take in the New Year celebrations. Each year Edinburgh`s Hogmanay street party attracts people from not only all over Scotland but, with its increasing popularity, all over the world. The atmosphere in the city is electric - street performers, fairground attractions, live bands, DJ`s and traditional bagpipers in kilts pack the city centre along with the thousands of merrymakers.

As the countdown begins, the bells start to chime and as we enter the new year with the singing of Auld Lang Syne, the climax of the party is reached. A fantastic display of fireworks explode from Edinburgh castle in the heart of Edinburgh`s Princes street gardens. Truly an amazing spectacle as the bright lights illuminate the night sky and cascade down the castle rock. This is accompanied by much festive kissing and cheering plus the passing round of Scotch whisky!

For the Scots themselves, the biggest dilemmas of Hogmanay are Who to be with when the clock strikes twelve and the singing begins? who to share their bottle of Scotch whisky with? and, perhaps most importantly, who to kiss first when the bells stop ringing? One thing is for sure, when the fireworks come to an end and the kissing has ceased, the merrymaking certainly doesn`t stop. In many cases its now that the real partying begins, usually continueing on into the next morning or even the following evening (often for many days!). Its now time for First Footing.

With a bottle of whisky in hand and a cheery disposition, First Footers visit homes of friends and family to wish them a Happy New Year and good will for the coming 12 months. This involves more offerings of whisky as you enter each home and, of course, more kissing and cheering! Revellers go from home to home until the whisky runs dry or over-intoxication takes its toll forcing the partygoer to finally take to bed!!

Of course, this is just one way to take in Hogmanay in Scotland! You can always opt for the quieter option and take it all in from the comfort of your home, with a glass of whisky and a mince pie whilst watching the festivities on the television. However, be aware! In the early hours of January 1st be sure to expect a knock on your door as the Hogmanay First Footers do their rounds!