I haven’t been in the country long so here’s a quick list of things I’ve learned. I’m sure I’ll move from the superficial to the substantial over the next few weeks.
1. People really do dress up more. The school children in the airport wore pressed uniforms, most travelers wore suits, and I’ve only seen one Japanese person in either jeans, sneakers, or shorts.
2. While you might be “allowed” to use a blue pen to fill out your immigration form at the airport, blue glitter ink is not accepted.
3. The airport toilet will play music for you. (Actually it was a flushing noise, but there’s definitely a music note.)
4. People drive Priuses (Prii), and the cars look just like the US models. (I know Toyota’s a Japanese company, but in Europe the cars that the European companies make have different American and European styles.)
5. Tokyo Disney frequently gets so crowded on Saturdays that the park fills to capacity soon after opening.
6. Like most of the world, Japan uses A-4 paper, which is slighter longer and narrower than American letter-size.
7. Tokyo is full of US stores, especially coffee places: Starbucks, 7-11, Tully’s, Illy (and that’s just what I noticed on the drive to the hotel.)
8. Tattoos are a huge cultural taboo because they are so strongly associated with the mafia. We received information about hiding tattoos twice in written form before our flight, and we’ve gotten three verbal warnings, each more stern than the last. Our bus guide today said, “In an elementary school, even a minor tattoo on the ankle might frighten the children. That’s how strong the association is.”
9. Potatoes are a staple of the vegetarian Japanese diet.
10. Follettbound books are excellent for book users who are rough on books. The Omnivore’s Dilemma has been shoved in bags, dropped, stowed in the side of my seat, etc. (sorry Mrs. Potwin!) but it still looks like it’s in perfect shape.
Interesting to note-There are at least a few teachers on the trip who’ve never left the country before! (Also many teachers who have never used chopsticks before this trip!) I first left the country on a school trip to Italy in high school, but several times since I’ve gotten to live vicariously through first-time international travelers. I love seeing the types of things that people notice are different from America. Any memories about what left a strong impression when you first traveled overseas?
7 comments:
I am cringing to think about the condition of Omnimovres Dilema when it returns.....yikes. Proof that it has been read and well loved, I suppose. Perhaps a testiment to Follet's quality....something to tell Higgle Wiggle.
We should have packed you a proper blue pen...I too love glitter pens, though our Customs and Border Patrol friends are terribly fussy.
Enjoy your trip.
Sarah
Does Starbuck's coffee taste different in Japan than in America?
This is a burning question.....
S
Is that an invitation? Or a challenge? Perhaps I'll have to take you up on that.
The Omnivore's Dilemma looks perfect, although I'll be the first to admit that I'm as surprised by that as anyone!
I was impressed by the uniformity of people in Japan. All black hair, dark eyes and of much the same height (which is shorter than I am and I LOVED feeling tall). Japanese coffee was so much better than their version of American coffee and came in a much smaller, more expensive cup. Is that still true?
Sarah, enjoyed the idea of poor condition reflecting love. It does for some of my books.
The Other Mother
If we got it this morning, it came in a little china cup. I didn't. But I did think of you, Sarah, this afternoon, when I had a half hour to change into my suit and used the hot water boiler to make a pot of tea in a little china pot.
Karen, I went looking for hair dye today, just to see what they had as options. (I was already in the drugstore.) There were a few plum and auburn tones. Everything else was a close shade of blackness.
Fritchle! It had to be said. Here's my little challenge, if anyone's curious who he is, I'll be happy to explain, but see if you can find out a little bit about him first (in deference to the information specialist who created this blog). He was a pretty incredible guy.
One of my first memories of Europe is having to pay to use the restroom! The attendant is right there, waiting to take your money as you exit!
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