Randomness from Japan Part One: Tokyo is a cleaner, more polite version of Hong Kong...There was so much bowing involved that I am suffering from bowing withdraw now that I am back in the States and have to deal with the American rudeness again. Like, when I went to Safeway the other day, I was mildly offended that the cashier didn't smile and bow when he gave me back my change...What was most surprising about the trip was how much I enjoyed the tour part of it. It was just so easy to have all the decisions made for you, including where to go and what to eat. And the people, from the tour guide to all the fellow travelers, were, uh, really nice. I know - what gives? I might have to reassess my world view now. Maybe I don't hate people after all?...I met Adam and his mother Veronica, from Burnaby, near Vancouver. Adam is in the Canadian army and is currently stationed in Afghanistan. He was on his two week leave and was spending it visiting Japan with his mother. He doesn't want to go back. His tour of duty ends some time in February. And he likes zombie movies and Godzilla toys...I need to stop sampling food in foreign countries. At the sake museum, I might have used a used toothpick to try the pickled vegetables that went with the sake samples. Gross...I need to stop trying to cleanse my soul at temples. They have this fountain-thingy where you are supposed to use the water to purify your hands and mouth. I did it for the sake of doing it (and because I am a dirrrty, filthy person), and then found out afterwards, you are supposed to spit out the water after rinsing instead of swallowing as I did. Uh, gross...Japan youths are very fashionable. The coolest gathering of people were at the eco-themed Sunday flee market at Yoyogi Park. They were sort of like neo-Bohemian, which involved a lot of beanies and layering. I felt like a sweat-wearing Midwestern housewife standing next to these cool cats...I hate the tight seats on the ANA flights. There is absolutely no leg room. Is it made especially for short Japanese people? Verdict is that Singapore Air (and Singapore Air girls) still is the great way to fly...It is correct to say to find a Japanese location by address only is impossible...However, the JR and subway system is pretty easy to figure out after some initial fumbling. Got a prepaid Suica card and all was well...Best looking girl spotted was in Kyoto, at an Italian restaurant. She was the maitre d'. I have no idea what that lunch really tasted like, but I would go back in a heartbeat...
I met the Chiu family. Bob the father is a molecular biology professor. Grace the mom is a really nice woman who met Bob while playing tennis in Taiwan U. Son Stanley is well-traveled, speaks bit of Japanese, and carries a big DSLR. Son Richard is gregarious and likes to take pictures with and of pretty girls...Ubiquitous in Japan are 1) vending machines and 2) soft-serve ice creams. As common as smoking and spitting were in China and underaged hookers and wats were in Thailand. Needless to say, I prefer vending machines and ice cream over those other things...I met Shawn and Monique, well-to-do couple from Southern Cal who own a preschool and a pho restaurant. Back in Tokyo after the tour, they invited us to visit their top-floor corner suite at the Tokyo Peninsula. Probably only time in my life I would get to snoop inside a Peninsula room. As nice as it was, I would never pay the money. Just think how many Gundam robots I can buy...Adam has the words Humility and Fairness, in Latin, tattoo'ed on his left and right forearms, respectively...There is this hole in a wood column in one of the temples we visited. Supposedly if you can crawl through it, you will make it to paradise in your next life. Adam and his mom both made it through the hole...
Randomness from Japan Part One: Tokyo is a cleaner, more polite version of Hong Kong...There was so much bowing involved that I am suffering from bowing withdraw now that I am back in the States and have to deal with the American rudeness again. Like, when I went to Safeway the other day, I was mildly offended that the cashier didn't smile and bow when he gave me back my change...What was most surprising about the trip was how much I enjoyed the tour part of it. It was just so easy to have all the decisions made for you, including where to go and what to eat. And the people, from the tour guide to all the fellow travelers, were, uh, really nice. I know - what gives? I might have to reassess my world view now. Maybe I don't hate people after all?...I met Adam and his mother Veronica, from Burnaby, near Vancouver. Adam is in the Canadian army and is currently stationed in Afghanistan. He was on his two week leave and was spending it visiting Japan with his mother. He doesn't want to go back. His tour of duty ends some time in February. And he likes zombie movies and Godzilla toys...I need to stop sampling food in foreign countries. At the sake museum, I might have used a used toothpick to try the pickled vegetables that went with the sake samples. Gross...I need to stop trying to cleanse my soul at temples. They have this fountain-thingy where you are supposed to use the water to purify your hands and mouth. I did it for the sake of doing it (and because I am a dirrrty, filthy person), and then found out afterwards, you are supposed to spit out the water after rinsing instead of swallowing as I did. Uh, gross...Japan youths are very fashionable. The coolest gathering of people were at the eco-themed Sunday flee market at Yoyogi Park. They were sort of like neo-Bohemian, which involved a lot of beanies and layering. I felt like a sweat-wearing Midwestern housewife standing next to these cool cats...I hate the tight seats on the ANA flights. There is absolutely no leg room. Is it made especially for short Japanese people? Verdict is that Singapore Air (and Singapore Air girls) still is the great way to fly...It is correct to say to find a Japanese location by address only is impossible...However, the JR and subway system is pretty easy to figure out after some initial fumbling. Got a prepaid Suica card and all was well...Best looking girl spotted was in Kyoto, at an Italian restaurant. She was the maitre d'. I have no idea what that lunch really tasted like, but I would go back in a heartbeat...
I met the Chiu family. Bob the father is a molecular biology professor. Grace the mom is a really nice woman who met Bob while playing tennis in Taiwan U. Son Stanley is well-traveled, speaks bit of Japanese, and carries a big DSLR. Son Richard is gregarious and likes to take pictures with and of pretty girls...Ubiquitous in Japan are 1) vending machines and 2) soft-serve ice creams. As common as smoking and spitting were in China and underaged hookers and wats were in Thailand. Needless to say, I prefer vending machines and ice cream over those other things...I met Shawn and Monique, well-to-do couple from Southern Cal who own a preschool and a pho restaurant. Back in Tokyo after the tour, they invited us to visit their top-floor corner suite at the Tokyo Peninsula. Probably only time in my life I would get to snoop inside a Peninsula room. As nice as it was, I would never pay the money. Just think how many Gundam robots I can buy...Adam has the words Humility and Fairness, in Latin, tattoo'ed on his left and right forearms, respectively...There is this hole in a wood column in one of the temples we visited. Supposedly if you can crawl through it, you will make it to paradise in your next life. Adam and his mom both made it through the hole...
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