11.24.2009

Confessions

1. I have never thought of Japan as a pretty place.
Interesting, cultured, historically rich - sure.
But in my mind I always pictured a place with unimpressive scenery, fast-walking people who all look alike, streets so packed you couldn't move.

2. I was wrong on all counts. (And pleasantly surprised!)
The country is more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. Lush forests, quaint old villages,
tall mountains, vast ocean; it is breathtaking even in November.
Japanese people look as similar to each other as Euro-Americans do. Really. They just have less
choices for hair color so style matters more.
And the streets are not nearly as packed as the train stations. I don't recommend hauling huge
suitcases all over the place. Unless you like bruises.


3. Visiting Japan actually made me miss Europe more. Isn't that strange? All those delicious pastries, art museums, fluffy pillows, Federdeckes, operas, languages I actually understand.... also toilets.

4. I stopped caring about having soap in public bathrooms. Forget about paper towels or hand driers, warm water (or water at all), real toilet paper. It's not going to happen.

5. The bullet train really is as cool as Slice said.

6. I ate tongue, shellfish, and Japanese kimchi all in one meal!

7. Japanese people are much warmer than I expected.
8. I might actually miss those toilet seat warmers.

3 comments:

  1. I have always thought of Japan as a beautiful place - I think I saw lots of that pagoda/cherry blossom tree style art as a child and decided the whole country must look like that.

    Makes me wonder how people who have never seen the U.S. imagine it.

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  2. I'm so glad that you two got to enjoy this fun adventure! What a wonderful memory!! Can't wait to see you again and hear all about it!

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  3. Rach
    Hi! I just want to say that watching you have so much fun with the man that you love through your pictures has made me miss you SOO So much! It looks like you guys had a blast! I hope everything is going well Love you!
    Brit :)

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