Like re-learning to ride a bike

Fukushima City is a pretty small town, but things are still far enough from each other that you can't always walk, but not far enough to take a bus or a train. That makes a bike the best way to get around. Unfortunately, I haven't used a bike for ages, and riding around any Asian country can be dangerous. First of all, the cars drive on the left side of the road here so I always look in the wrong direction. Second, the streets are much narrower than in the States so even when I see a car coming I still risk the chance of getting hit simply because there is not enough room for the two of us. Finally, the sidewalks are much more crowded and people don't really care about getting out of your way so you're constantly dodging pedestrians left and right. All of these things combined with the fact that I feel totally wobbly and like I'm going to fall any second add up to me risking my life every time I set foot on my little bike. Frankly, I really suck right now, but like all things that I suck at I am determined to get better. I refuse to suck. I could just give up and walk everywhere, but that sort of resignation is unacceptable to me. I guess that's how I feel about my whole experience so far. Don't get me wrong, I've had some great times, but I still don't feel like I'm having as much fun as I could. Of course I know those things take time, but compared to my friends in Tokyo where a good time is only a block away, I must deal in Fukushima, which I like to refer to as "The Fresno of Japan." So things are slow right now, I'm not sure what to do with myself yet. My Japanese isn't that great, and I know there are many things I still have to improve. But, like my decision to re-learn to ride a bike, I am determined to make the most of this opportunity. I've already made plans for this weekend: bike around Mt. Shinobu with Paul, go out to dinner with Kaori and Ayako, and venture into the big city of Sendai. I know getting used to living here will be tough, but it's one of those things you just have to keep working at until one day it comes naturally.