More observations about Japan

Today was my day off and I ran some errands (I picked up my alien registration card, so now I am an official alien!) and thought about some things I haven't mentioned yet....like how they drive on the "wrong" side of the road here. Not a big deal, but they also walk on the left as well - most of the time. Since I do a lot of walking (to the train station from home, and from the train station to the Disney gate and vice versa), I encounter many people and LOTS of bikes. I try to be courteous and stay to the left, but it is frustrating when they don't! They also smoke a lot here - in the restaurants, in the street....EW! I am so spoiled from living in California and NY, that I am not used to it - and I don't care to be.

I used my first Japanese toilet today! I have lucked out and always had access to at least 1 Western toilet, but not today. Japanese toilets resemble a urinal lying flat on the ground, so you have to squat over it. Hmmm. I am not a good squatter (having short achilles and all - lol), so I had to basically disrobe, just to go to the bathroom! Oh to be a guy....

The girls here dress like it is summer, with their short short skirts, and it is 30 - 40 degrees out! One more thing that cracks me up is the way they always talk to you in the stores (grocery, department...whatever). You walk in and they sing-song a greeting, you pass by and they say another. When paying, they talk a lot (I, of course, have no idea what they are saying), and they keep saying stuff even after I have received my change, bowed and said my thanks (in Japanese of course!) and walked on! It makes me laugh +)

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