JAPAN ON MY MIND

Since Miyuki is busy preparing for her upcoming examination, I will be your host for the day.
Just to take your mind off of all the famine, war, and strife in the world; I thought I would post some photos of my trip to Japan last year.


The number one thing I liked about the country is the level of service. Especially in the hotels; where a meal is brought to your room served on a hundred little dishes full of exotic delicacies.
Make you feel like the lord of the manor from a bygone era.

Was a little rusty with the chopsticks but with a spread like this, you are glad to put forth the effort.

Top 5 things I liked about Japan:

1. Steaming 0utdoor mineral baths.
2. Courteous service bordering on obsessiveness.
3. Teenage girls dressed in the most garish and cutesy outfits without drawing any attention.
4. Ubiquitous convenience stores that are a thousand times better than those in the States.
5. Sushi

Top 5 things I did not like about Japan:

1. Architecture; or the lack thereof. Businesses and residences seem to sprout up haphazardly without any planning or aforethought as to uniformity of style or design.
2. Ubiquitous depressed looking salarymen dressed in suits (even during the humid summer months.)
3. Lack of English speakers (this is really strange considering the national obsession with learning English).
4. Not the most outgoing of countries. You will never get a supermarket or gym dating scene going in Japan.
5. Outrageous cost of living. Everything costs twice as much and packaged to 1/4 the size. I think it is a government conspiracy to deter consumption and increase savings.

Miyuki has the most adorable little niece named Mayuka. When you think of Japanese people you get this image of a very conservative, shy, and closed off people. Yet when you see the children there; they are as rambunctious and playful as those of any other country. It certainly is a dramatic demonstration of the "culture" v. "nurture" debate. At some point the culture overcomes the natural spontaneity and joie de vivre. Just a generalization on my part; please take it with a grain of salt :)