Erin's Journeys

Japan: Recycling Trash

2008-01-08T05:32:00.000-11:00

Although I've been telling everyone about recycling trash in Japan, I cannot convey the extent of it. I have stumbled upon a great article written up in the New York times for your reading pleasure. It pretty much summarizes how anal it can be. We have 6 trash bins in our tiny apartment kitchen alone, but I'd rather recycle. When I come back to the US, it is reverse culture shock and I am absolutely disgusted with how much garbage we dump all together!

Now that we are used to separating the trash, I find it difficult to throw the plastics in with the burnables.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/12/international/asia/12garbage.html

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force

2007-04-20T15:48:00.001-11:00

I actually first saw these commercials on Anderson Cooper 360 and finally found them on You Tube. These are REAL Offical commercials for recruiting for Japan's Maritime Self Defense forces. ENJOY!!!
This one is the original commercial...

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force 2006 CM

2007-04-20T15:47:00.001-11:00

Here is the updated 2006 (even better) version...

Australia: Honeymoon - Sydney

2007-04-16T16:08:00.000-11:00

Australia: Honeymoon - Noosa

2007-04-16T07:30:00.000-11:00

Australia: Honeymoon - Adelaide

2007-04-16T07:00:00.000-11:00

Australia: Honeymoon - Blue Mountains

2007-04-16T06:00:00.000-11:00

Lance and I went on an amazing Honeymoon to AUSTRALIA!!!! We were there for 2 weeks and hit 3 different regions: Sydney, Adelaide and Noosa.

The first 3 days we traveled to the Blue Mountains. It is about 2 hours West of Sydney. The Blue Mountains are so named for the Eucalyptus trees that grow wildly in the area. On the way we stopped at FeatherDale Park and got to meet kangaroos, koalas, wombats and other Australian wildlife. Is it just me or do alot of native Australian animals just look like big rodents? Also the birds that live in the wild are amazing there!

While in the Blue Mountains, we visited the Three Sisters rock formation. This is...

Scenic World...

Jenolan Caves.

Note

2007-04-16T05:09:00.000-11:00

I'm sorry I suck...I will be posting our Australia entries this week! (We went for our honeymoon over Xmas and New Year's). All I have to say is Australia ROCKS! We loved it mate. No worries.

Next week Lance and I are going to China. Be sure to keep an eye out :)

Japan: Hiroshima - Dedicated to Ali & Iddya

2007-04-04T23:14:00.000-11:00

Proudly present Round 1 of Photo Booth Fun!

(note: we do not know the Japanese guy in these pictures...he works at the arcade)

Can't get enough...Round 2 of Photo Booth Fun!

Japan: Funny - You know you're Japanese when...

2007-03-05T02:38:00.000-11:00

Scary we are beginning to understand some of these...does this mean we are turning Japanese?

You know you're Japanese when...

1. You bow your head every few seconds when you speak.
2. Every compliment ever paid to you you've responded with "Oh no, that's not true...".
3. You know what natto is and you either hate it or you love it.
4. You know why the words Rice and Meal mean the same thing.
5. You imitate the nasally voice of the train conductor and everyone laughs.
6. You are/have been addicted to the song "Tsunami" by Southern All Stars.
7. You know that shoyu never, ever goes on rice.
8. You've "accidentally" poured shoyu or some other sauce on your rice. "Accidentally" of course.
9. Your blood type is A.
10. You grew up watching Anpanman or Ultraman.
11. You know that it's really "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi".
12. You watch American movies with Japanese in them and you think they're speaking Chinese.
13. You apologize profusely for no reason.
14. You know what the rabbits are doing up there on the moon.
15. You know what Shuriken are NOT because of an anime or manga.
16. At some point, you watched "Hotaru no Haka" and cried.
17. "Tonari no Totoro" was your "Little Mermaid".
18. You know that frogs say, "gero gero", not "ribbit". And pigs go "boo" "boo"
19. The quote, "boys be ambitious" is familiar to you.
20. You've bought nice clothing for cheaper than 5 dollars.
21. You can finish this sentence:"Sora wo jiyuu ni tobitai na!Hai! _____________!!!!"

My additions:
22. You say "hai" even when you are in another country.
23. You separate your trash when you are in another country
24. For Americans, you stop turning your windshield wipers on when you make a turn
25. Conversely, you stop turning your blinker on when it rains
26. You are very proud of earning your Japanese driver's license
27. Uncle Ben's rice is unacceptable
28. You enjoy Japanese TV
29. Japanese people no longer say "DAME, DAME!!!!" to you

Japan: Funny - How to fold a shirt the Japanese way

2007-03-05T02:24:00.001-11:00

Check it out...Lance tried over and over again. It is tough. Leave it up to the Japanese to find a perfect way to do it.

Japan: Funny - Gaijin Invasion

2007-03-05T02:22:00.001-11:00

Great music video, especially funny to those who have ever been, lived or know about Japan!

Japan: Funny - How to use a Japanese Mouse

2007-03-05T01:52:00.000-11:00

Check out a Japanese mouse...
ps. especially funny if you move your mouse around really fast. You can also push down on your mouse button.
http://www.1-click.jp/

Japan: Hiroshima - Sushi! Sush! Sushi!

2007-02-21T14:26:00.000-11:00

Yokoso to the Mosley Sushi Party! Lance and I hosted a dinner party at our house featuring...make your own sushi. It was tons of fun making and eating the different creations everyone made. Plus we didnt' have to cook. BUT prepping took a long time - so many dishes and ingredients.

Pic: Therese, Elmar and Martin

Ingredients included maki-su (bamboo mats), wasabi, mayonnaise, cream cheese, soy sauce, smoked salmon, spicy tuna, crab, shrimp tempura, terriyaki beef, avocado, green onions, cucumber, lettuce, shrimp, rice, nori and whatever else I can't remember! Check it out...

Pic: Nuria, David (hiding behind Nuria), Jules, O-town, Noi, Iddya

Japan: Hiroshima - Skiing

2007-02-04T02:02:00.000-11:00

Skiing is great in Japan. Since there are mountains everywhere it is easy to get to a ski lodge. The one we went to was less than a 1.5 hr. drive away from Hiroshima. It was a ski resort and onsen in one. So afterwards we got to soak our sore muscles in the Hot Springs!

It was my 2nd time skiing in my life and we had alot of FUN! The snow was soft and the sun was out. People assume it is too expensive here but I dont' find it to be that much more than the U.S. Ski equipment rental was about $33 (boots, skis and poles). And a 6 hr. lift ticket is $35.

My friend, Jules and I

Japan: Hiroshima - Kimono Dressing

2007-02-04T01:23:00.000-11:00

Konichiwa Minna-san!

This entry is about my experience wearing a kimono. I attended a cultural kimono dressing class. Japanese women had volunteered to bring kimonos and dress us properly in one. Then we took pics and went to eat lunch in our kimonos. Let's just say that this is the best diet ever because not only can you not eat, you also cannot breath. Seriously.

There are many, many, many pieces to a kimono. First an undergown - like a kimono but it's cotton and is an underwear. Then the many bindings that are tied around you, ropes made of cloth. These are tied very tightly and you have to suck in. Then the Kimono itself. After is the obi - the middle silk and embroidered sash, this is tied beautifully in the back. The obi has many ties and a flat towel or cardboard piece folded inside the obi. This is so you have No curves. A beautiful kimono is one where the woman has straight sides and no breasts. I've explained this all in the simplest steps, but it took 3 women to dress me, and agonize over little folds and details.

The kimonos are amazingly beautiful, however once on, your circulation is cut off from right under your boobs, to below your waistline. You are forced into perfect posture. You cannot slouch nor sit without being upright. This would be the equivalent to the Western corset.

Japan: Hiroshima - Bento Box

2007-01-26T01:03:00.000-11:00

January's Japanese Cooking Class topic was O-Bento Boxes! Bento Boxes are everywhere in Japan - Seven-Eleven, convenient stores, grocery stores... For those unfamiliar, a Bento box is a typical lunch that consists of little portions of different foods nicely arranged in a lunchbox. Japanese women usually get up at 5am and start making Bento boxes for their husbands and children's lunch to take to work & school. Many women do this til their child goes to college. And we thought peanut butter & jelly sandwiches were a pain....

A proper Bento box will include 5 different colors. Color scheme is very important. Here are examples:
White - rice
Black - Sesame seeds, laver porphyras pp
Yellow - Egg, Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoe, corn, pickeled daikon radish
Red - Shrimp, carrot, tomato, apple, strawberry
Green - Cucumber, greens, parsley, asaparagus, green pepper

Here is my O-Bento I made. Unfortunately it does not look pretty, I was hungry and just threw it all in and did not arrange it...

Japan: Hiroshima - Medical Japanism

2007-01-15T00:25:00.000-11:00

This entry is dedicated to the many "Japanisms" that we discover while living here. One of those weird cultural differences that dumbfounds me.

The following info. is from "The Wall Street Journal Asia," Article entitled "Japan's Cancer Refugees Speak Up." This article leaves me speechless because I can't even begin to understand it. In Japan it is custom never to question your doctor, manager, teacher or anyone with authority. That said, it is no suprise that even thru the late 1990s, the concept of a 2nd medical opinion was unknown. "Today, Japanese people are borrowing the English words and getting a "sekando opinon."

Cancer is Japan's No. 1 cause of death and here, they do not ever tell the patient they have the disease. The patient is left in the dark and they never question their doctor. Family members usually know the true diagonis, but does not burden the patient about it. Unlike the U.S. where the patient is in control of their decisions about their health care. The internet has broken down patients' isolation from information about their disease and foreign treatments. Now Japanese citizens are demanding for more - they want Amercian style care and drugs for cancer.

Japanese government currently guarantees that everyone has health insurance coverage and pays most of the bills. Japan only spends half the money other Western countries do on cancer treament and research . The Health Bureau at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says "With a huge national debt and corporations worried about higher taxes, Japan can't afford to throw money into treaments and training that offer little hope of significantly extending life spans." Patients are now speaking up about their restriction in choices.

I don't get it!?!? How can you not tell someone they have cancer and have their whole family lie to them? In my opinion, the idea of not acknowledging a disease and making it taboo only hurts them.

Japan: Hiroshima - O Christmas Tree

2006-12-23T14:53:00.000-11:00

Got a Japanese Christmas tree this year - Love it! You're thinking how is this different? Get ready for this: It is a POP-UP Christmas tree SET.

Set meaning it comes with all the ornaments, ribbon, and lights pre-attached and wired to the tree. You cant' take it on or off so it cuts decorating time to zilch.

Pop-up meaning it is literally just that. The tree folds flat and you pick it up from the top and hang it on the stand. It's hilarious, see pics for illustration!

Japan: Hiroshima - Sushi rolling

2006-12-01T14:12:00.000-11:00

Finally tried my hand at sushi rolling, only to find out I STINK! I took a Japanese cooking class where we made California rolls. It was delicious, but you have to make the sushi rice just right - the amount of rice vinegar that is mixed into the rice is definitely what gives it the best taste. I've had sushi where they don't put rice vinegar in and it is too plain and blah without.

Here are pics of my attempts. Notice the insides were squished out of my first roll, otherwise I made them too fat.

Japan: Hiroshima - Halloween

2006-11-11T01:46:00.000-11:00

Halloween in Japan? Definitely not that popular, but foreign stores do sell Halloween candy and decor. As well as Tokyu Hands store and a few other Japanese stores. Trick-or-Treating is not widespread.

American friends of ours threw their annual Halloween party at their apartment. It was the first Halloween party our Australian friends, Japanese friends, and British friends have ever been to. Below are pics of Lance and I - I decided to forgo the "sexy" or "scary" costumes this year and go for something ridiculous. These are Japanese costumes sold here.

Say hello to Eggplant and Mushroom

Japan: Hiroshima - Japanese spin on fast food faves

2006-11-11T01:31:00.000-11:00

Pics of popular fast food dishes Japanese style!

Hello Kitty Birthday Cake

McDonald's Shrimp Burger

Shrimp Sub from Subway

Keep checking -I plan to post more pics as I come across them....

Japan: Hiroshima - The Beautiful Water

2006-10-07T13:41:00.000-11:00

Sake - referred to as "the beautiful water" and what better place to do sake tasting than at the SAKE FESTIVAL!!! This an annual event held in October, where all the sake breweries all over Japan come together in the city of Saijo. Lucky for us, Saijo is a short train ride away from Hiroshima.

The Sake Festival is a 2-day event, drawing tons of people to wander thru streets of food vendors, sake houses, and finally drinking yourself into an oblivion in the main tent. Sightings of passed out Japanese men were plenty (my friend almost sat down on someone's head who was passed out on a bench). Not drinking sake much in the past, I find it's a bit like wine tasting. There are many kinds of sake ranging from dry -sweet. As well as cloudy - clear. Some are grainy and gross, the exceptional ones are nicely balanced and have a range of flavors. Course after 4 or 5 cups, it all tastes the same... Sake cups are teeny tiny and the sake can be served warm or cold. At the festival, there were over 200 breweries represented and were divided into the region it is from. Each was given a number, course we just picked blindly and guessed any number to try.

Me, my sidekick Iddya and Sake barrels .......................fresh tofu....................................Inside Main Tent.

Japan: Hiroshima - Drag Queens and Transvestites

2006-10-01T03:35:00.000-11:00

Yes. Yes. There are Drag-queens in Hiroshima! If you know Hiroshima, it is very suprising since it's a little more traditional than other cities like Tokyo. But as a resident, you soon find out Japan is actually a perverse society of closet sex freaks.

It was 5,000 yen (about $40-$45) a person to reserve a seat and have all you can drink and see the show. I went with a bunch of girlfriends and we had a great time! The girls sit behind the bar and serve you drinks, lights your cigarette, and make conversation with you...kinda like a hostess bar. Later during the night the show starts and unlike some drag queen shows I've seen in the U.S., they don't sing, just dance and some strip. Most of them have real breasts and one went the Full Monty - took everything off. Yes, she was fixed in both places. Amazing, really! Check out my pics (sorry, can't post anything indecent...wouldn't want my site classified as porn):

Was once a man (on the right)...................................Hot bod, Cher look alike..................What the bar looks like

US: California - I Do!

2006-08-19T17:07:00.000-11:00

So I've neglected by blog for 4 months...but for good reason. Lance and I had our wedding ceremony on August 19, 2006 in Calfornia! It was held at a beautiful winery, with perfect weather, and the love of family and friends.

I spent a year planning the wedding, most of it from Japan. (*FYI - a wedding coordinator is a must if you are doing a long distance wedding, or if you don't want to kill yourself) Here is our wedding website: http://www.erinandlance.weddingwindow.com/ -what I threw myself into, and so neglected this site.

I know what you're thinking - hey weren't we already married? duh. We were already engaged and had a civil ceremony before moving to Japan. So this was our "traditional" ceremony with friends and family. It was even more special since we hadn't seen anyone in a year since we left the country.

We arrived a week before the wedding to do some fun things, as well as last minute wedding details. This included wine tasing in Sonoma Valley,going to Six Flags, running around getting "beauty stuff" done (Girls, you know what that entails), and taking care of wedding stuff like making favors and guest hotel boxes. We also go to see dentists and doctors while we are in the U.S. because it's so damn hard to find ones we can communicate with here. Needless to say it was a busy week, but completely paid off.

And just as important, we eat tons of food when we are in the U.S. My tfavorite places to go: Target, Costco, Taco Bell, Fuddruckers, Arby's, In-and-Out Burger, and Publix.

It was overwhelming and unbelievable that so many of our friends and family traveled just for us. We enjoyed the day immensely. Everything was very special and I will never forget it. One of my favorite highlights was seeing both our parents dancing. They were happy and enjoying themselves. I have never seen my Dad dance. So now I"m going to post it on my blog and show the world:

P.S. We have decided to go to Australia for our honeymoon in December - January, over New Year's. Stay tuned for blogs on Sydney, Adelaide and the Gold Coast of Australia!!!!

Africa - Ngorongoro Crater

2006-07-01T03:29:00.000-11:00

Interestingly, the nights were very very cold. The lodge would light a fire in the fireplace in the evenings.

Africa - Serengeti, Tanzania

2006-06-30T02:20:00.000-11:00

Africa - Safari Itinerary

2006-06-30T01:22:00.000-11:00

After the wedding, we took a flight to Kenya with our friends for the start of a 4 day, 3 night Safari! Never in my life did I think I'd ever go on one...Lion King came to mind. Lance and I had gotten 7 immunization shots before we left for Africa. These included Yellow Fever, typhoid, tetanus, polio, hep A, meningitis and malaria pills. Ouch!

The itinerary was as follows. (travel agent schedule has been edited in purple italics to reflect real experience):
Day 1:
8:00 Depart from Nairobi via dusty small shuttle bus full of tourists. Arrive Arusha where Tanzania Visas are checked. Also where you can buy African jewelry and souvenirs really cheap from residents. They will attack you thru the bus window.
12:00 Box lunch we will be eating the same lunch for the next 4 days.
14:00 Continue to Ngorongoro Lodge for the most delicious buffet dinner and overnight.

Day 2:
8:00 Get up super early. Drive to Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge. I was asleep
12:00 Lunch same lunch as yesterday. Ate at a picnic area. Next to us was another tourist group on a "Luxury" safari, using real silverware and wine glasses. Talk about roughing it.
14:00 Afternoon game viewing of the Serengeti plains. Amazing animals - cheetahs, lions, hyenas, wilderbeest, and zebras...
Dinner and overnight at the Lodge in Serengeti. Beautiful Lodge and amazing buffet dinner!

Day 3:
8:00 Morning game drive in Serengeti Park. Witnessed animals finding their breakfast.
12:00 Lunch guess what - same box lunch as yesterday
15.30 Drive to Ngorongo Lodge. Afternoon Safari drive of the crater. This place was incredible, hippos, flamingos, elephants...
Dinner and overnight at the Ngorongoro Lodge. Can't say enough about the food. I will crave honey from African honeybees for the rest of my life.

Day 4: 8:00 After breakfast depart for Arusha to arrive by 1pm in time to board
The shuttle back to Nairobi

Rate per person - US$875
Shuttle transfer one way - US$30

Above costs included:
Shuttle transfer in a 25 seater tourist bus from Nairobi – Arusha return
Full board accommodation while on safari
Transport in 4 x4’s while on safari
Drivers allowances
Fuel
Services of English speaking driver guides
½ day crater tour in Ngorongoro
Crater and Park fees

Africa - Ethiopia - Trivia

2006-06-29T03:07:00.000-11:00

We landed in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 4 hrs. after leaving Dubai. Addis Ababa reminds me of parts of Mexico or Lance compared to South America...like any developing country. Here are some facts we learned:

-Ethiopia was never colonized by another country (like how Kenya was colonized by the British). The Italians had tried in the past, but Ethiopia fought hard against it.

-Ethiopia used to have a Communist government

-If you hit an Ethiopian with your car, the fine is equivalent to $1,000 US dollars. If you paralyze or hurt the person with your car, you have to pay for them for the rest of their lives. So the joke is better to make sure they're dead.

- Donkeys carry eucalyptus leafves down from the mountains and forests for fuel for cooking.

-The Ethiopian currency is the Birr. The current exchange is 8.6 Birr = $1 US

-You get the weirdest looks if you are Asian...from personal experience

-The country is about 50/50 Christian and Islamic (which explains the loud singing at 5 a.m. outside our hotel Monday morning)

-Most of the cars are used. Luxury import cars carry a 100% import tax. Still we saw many Mercedes Benz. Gas is still leaded and they use diesel. Air pollution is very apparant.

-Climate - hot days and cold nights.

-Coffee originated from Ethiopia. It is still their main export as well as tea.

Typical Ethiopian Meal

Africa: Ethiopia - A Wedding in Addis Ababa

2006-06-28T15:26:00.000-11:00

Our stay in Addis Ababa was for about 3 days. We checked into the Sheraton - and it is a GORGEOUS 5-star hotel. The pool and restaurants were fantastic. The contradiction is that right outside the Sheraton gates, was a run down area of the city. Though it can be difficult to see, at least the tourists bring money into the country and help make more jobs available.

The next day was our good friends' wedding. Being able to attend was a once in a lifetime experience. The church ceremony started at 6am - 9:30 am. There were 5 couples total getting married at the same time. The church is Christian and completely packed. Turns out it was also St. Gabriel's day so there were tons of people dressed in white spilling outside thru the parking lot and out the gates. They were all facing the church worshipping. Inside everyone was elbow to elbow and it was steamy!

Later we all got in cars and traveled together to a place to celebrate and have lunch. We drove out of the city and up the mountainside into the country. The air was so much cooler and more it was beautiful scenery. You start seeing more asses (as in donkeys, get your mind out of the gutter), cows and horses. The houses look like they're made of wood, mud or clay. We finally stop as our friends each mount a horse. This is very old tradition. We completely hold up traffic while everyone's walks down the road singing to a guy playing the drum. The lunch reception is our friends' Godfather's house.

Japan: Kyoto 40 - Gion

2006-05-10T13:09:00.000-11:00

Let's see my knowledge of Gion before I went there came from reading books. I knew it was the place I most wanted to see in Japan. It is the most famous geisha district. It is indeed very unique and soooo cool. The small walkways and architecture were magical during cherry blossom season. I read that if you're lucky you will see a geisha on the path sometime in the evenings on their way to tea ceremonys.

We were recommended to take the "Higashiyama strolling path." It starts from Maruyama Park and ends at Jishu shrine. It is a historic area lined with gardens, shops and many souvenirs and items made in Kyoto. Tourists particularly buy the fans, crafts and sweets here. Other popular places are the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo and Gion Corner.

I highly recommend buying advance tickets to see the Miyako 0dori. This is the spring dance geikos perform annually. It was absolutely beautiful and different. Of course after reading the book, Geisha, A Life, I was dying to see what all the hub bub was about and what a traditional Japanese dance looked like. It was colorful, full of costumes, dancers, musicians and singers. The group moves in sync w/another and constantly moves in pairs.

Useful websites I used to plan our trip:

http://www.kyotoguide.com/

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html

http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/index.html

Japan: Kyoto 39 - Arashiyama

2006-05-10T12:42:00.000-11:00

First day in Kyoto we when to Arashiyama: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3912.html#bridge

Arashiyama is northwest of Kyoto and was recommended to us by our Japanese teacher. It was alot of fun. Here are the highlights:

Togetsukyo Bridge
The landmark it is known for is the Togetsukyo Bridge, means "crossing moon bridge". It was once an all wooden bridge (however, now reinforced w/concrete). Across this bridge, we found the Monkey Park Iwatayama...

Monkey Park Iwatayama
Very cool. As we started the long climb up this mountain, there were no monkeys in sight. I figured this might be one of those tourist hoaxes to get you to pay an admission fee and say sorry the monkeys are sleeping. However, as you get closer to the top, there are monkeys galore! I have never been so close to a monkey in my life. They're not even bothered by people. They'll sit next to you and not even care. There is a feeding area at the top where you can buy apples or bananas to feed them. They're very greedy and smart. Be aware the little boogers will reach thru the fence and grab the whole bag right out of your hands. Then 30 seconds later, all I saw was the plastic bag floating down from the roof. I hope he got sick.

Bamboo Grove
It's a bamboo grove.

Japan: Kyoto 38 - *%#@ Bonkers about Sakura!

2006-05-10T11:54:00.000-11:00

Sakura season - the infamous Cherry Blossom season is typically during the end of March, beginning of April, depending where in Japan you are. Lance and I decided to go to THE place to go for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) and geishas: KYOTO!

Everyone in Japan is bustling to get ready for cherry blossoms - stores are selling little pink desserts, even pink rice; ladies are putting on their spring kimonos; and people are planning hanami parties. The weather man is literally massacred if he does not predict when sakuras blossom correctly. Truth is, it is very difficult to tell because the weather fluctuates so much in Spring. The news shows their forecasters with cherry trees daily monitoring them.

So how does one view cherry blossoms?
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_how.html

Hanami parties are everywhere - this is basically a picnic with friends or co-workers under the cherry trees. Someone goes early in the morning to pick a spot, lays down a blue tarp and camps out all day til their friends get off work. Then the fun begins with mini grills, food, sake, beer, and even portable hand held karoake machines. Occasionally it's been known you might see a drunk man strip naked - unfortunately for us, we actually did.

Also cherry blossoms are in bloom for only one week out of the entire year. So if you happen to plan any special trips for it, there is always the risk that you may completely miss the peak. Luckily our trip to Kyoto was right on! And they were gorgeous....

Japan: Hirshima 37 - I've been a slacker

2006-05-10T11:41:00.000-11:00

Hi to everyone who actually reads my blog!!! Sorry I've been a slack! Luckily I will have alot to write about because I've been traveling. Also at the end of the month I will be going to Africa and will have a ton to update...

Thanks to all who are entertained by my ramblings :)

Japan: Hiroshima 36 - Girlie stuff

2006-03-06T20:12:00.000-11:00

Eyebrows:
I am in dire need to get my eyebrows done! It's driving me crazy. The Japanese (at least in Hiroshima) do not do waxing or threading for eyebrows. Instead a few salons will shave strays with a straight razor. Now tell me how that's effective when hair grows back the very next day? They also sucked at shaping. Arrgh!

Fashion Magazines:
I succumbed and bought an American fashion magazine for $17 today. I found Allure in English at a random bookstore. The things you do when you take life's littlest luxuries for granted...

Hair Salons:
There are a TON of hair salons here. I'm not exaggerating when I say there is one on every corner. I still have yet to go because it seems rather daunting to get my hair cut by someone whom I can't tell what I want. The trend here is really thinned out hair that is razor-cut, then curled with a half perm.

Contraceptive pills:
Birth control pills are only available from a doctor's office. They cannot even be obtained from a pharmacy. They are also alot more expensive. Interestingly the US has been prescribing contraceptive pills for over 40 yrs. now. And only recently has Japan made it available. I have been told it is because they were afraid Japanese women would be too promiscuous.

Japan: Hiroshima 35 - Golf Range & Hole in Ones

2006-03-06T00:12:00.000-11:00

Hiroden Golf Range is a 3 level golf range that sits up on a mountain. The views are spectacular. You will notice nobody has a bucket of balls, yet they are all playing continously... until you realize the balls are coming up from the ground. They are fed thru tubes into an area below each tee. And everytime after you hit the ball, the tee drops down, a new ball rolls out and it resurfaces giving you a perfect teed up ball. The tee is also automatic. Next to each tee box there is a control box stand, and you can tell it whether to tee your ball flush w/the mat, tee it up, or tee up high. It's awesome! You never have to bend over again.

The Japanese are notoriously bonkers about golf, paying stratospheric greens and club membership fees. Lance even bought hole-in-one insurance. Like me, you are probably either wondering why, or think he is lying. I chose the latter until he emailed me this clip he found on the internet to prove it:

"Ironically, for a nation where gifts are an instant storage problem, the Japanese give at an incredible rate. Gifts are required for every event right up to and including a hole-in-one. No, you don't give something to the golfer who scored a hole-in-one, rather, he gives something to you. And your friend. And your ex-brother-in-law. And the elevator girls at the office. And on and on and on.

The average cost of achieving a hole-in-one is $15,000. Really. The prudent golfer, of course, does the only reasonable thing: He purchases hole-in-one insurance. Score a hole-in-one and the gifts will be bought for you."

Japan: Hiroshima 35 - Interesting tidbits of society

2006-02-27T00:00:00.000-11:00

There are good things about women and society in Japan. However, this one is a summary of the appalling things I have learned based from my discussions with other Japanese women and foreigners, reading articles and my own observations...

Japanese culture from old to new:
Back in the day, the typical Japanese woman will quit working when she gets married. She then becomes a stay at home wife and mom. And as custom goes, if a woman marries the oldest son in his family, she not only takes care of her kids, but also her husband's elderly parents. (My Japanese teacher said when she was young, she would avoid dating guys who were the oldest son). As times have changed, many Japanese women want a career instead. They work hard to get into a good University, secure good jobs and often do not get married until much, much later, if at all. Japan's population has been on a steady decline. There are more death rates than birth rates and they're working population is aging. The cost of raising a child is sky high and with no day care availability, more women are choosing career over children. (Many of the few day cares that do exist are unlicensed.) Still tradition prevails over many households and sometimes it is the husband or even the woman's manager at work, who wants her to stay home and be a housewife. Those that are becoming more modern realize the importance of having dual income in a high cost society, and may forgo having children.

Dishwasher and Dishdryer:
In many of our friends' apartments, we notice dishwashers that are super super tiny (like the kind you have in a dorm room), even if there is room for a larger one. In some, there are huge dishdryers but no dishwasher. I have learned that this is intentional so that the wife does not get lazy. (WTF!)

Affairs:
For such a rigid country w/many rules, affairs are not uncommon. It is not unusual for the husband's company to send him elsewhere to work, while the wife and kids stay. The reason is because of the school system. They kids have to stay where they have access to top schools so they get into top Universities. Sometimes husband and wife are apart for many, many years until the children graduate high school or even college. Therefore there are husbands who have girlfriends elsewhere or they frequent bar hostesses.

Bar Hostesses: Bar hostesses are expensive companions for the evening. They lavish attention on men while they expertly suck them dry of their money. Here is an excerpt from Japan Times: Kyabakura -- budget-priced drinking establishments that charge a flat hourly rate to sit and drink with young hostesses -- are popular with rank-and-file salarymen. But a growing number of salaried workers have been discovering to their chagrin that kyabakura can be an ruinously expensive habit...men visit clubs where they can relax over a drink, and entertain the hope they might get lucky and seduce a sweet young thing. A 24-year-old retail store employee relates his own tale of woe. "Although my monthly take-home pay was only about 180,000 yen, I began visiting a club in Ikebukuro where this really nice girl worked. I wound up going four nights a week, with the bills more than 20,000 yen each time. Within a year, I'd spent over 2 million yen and was flat broke. I had no choice but to file for personal bankruptcy."

Alibi Channel:
There is a radio channel that exists for the sole purpose of giving your wife an alibi. For example, you can call your wife from your cell phone and the channel plays background sounds for say, traffic. Then you can tell your wife you are stuck in traffic. (how awful!)

Autoshow outfits: The skimpy outfits that models wear at autoshows can be bought in autoshow magazines. Pick from an array of mesh, short skirts, or small tops and they can be yours so you too can be a car model and show off your boyfriend's car...NOT!

Japan: Hiroshima 34 - Baking in Japan Addendum

2006-02-26T23:49:00.000-11:00

I'd like to add a new comment to my baking in Japan experience:

I'm stupid and did not convert the temperature. It'd be like cooking it on 500 degrees...oops. I have been informed that I should convert it first, take another 10% off the heat, and take 25% off the cooking time.

Japan: Hiroshima 34 - Baking in Japan

2006-02-23T03:29:00.000-11:00

Three words: Don't do it.

I'd like to think I am a pretty good cook and an excellent baker. However, not only does Japan pose challenges in the eating arena, it also throws us a curve ball when trying to cook. Here are the culprits:

The oven - it is my enemy with split personalities. The same unit functions as both a microwave and a conventional oven. How? You either push the button for "microwave," "oven," or "microwave and oven (haven't dared try this one yet).
Example - I tried to bake a chocolate cake. I brought from the US, Duncan Hines box cake (aka cake for dummies). It called for 30 min. at 350 degrees. Our oven only goes up to 300 degrees. After 10 minutes it looked done. Turned out to be burned on top and completely liquid in the middle.

The fish grill (I think) - is in cahoots with the oven. Both determined to starve us. Above the conventional oven, about the size of a toaster oven there is a small door that I guess fish goes in. The knob to turn it on is a picture of a fish. I like toasting bread in there. Til one day I forgot about it and my grilled cheese sandwich caught on fire, literally. WTF? I ruined grilled cheese!

Basic ingredients - It takes about 15 minutes of standing in the aisle to buy the simplest things. Ie. sherry vinegar, hamburger buns, half & half (ended up making it myself), whip cream, worcestshire sauce (this one took a trip to 4 different grocery stores)....

We are learning, but it takes time. We're developing a new system now - when we painstakenly find an ingredient we like, we take a picture of the package and store it on the computer. That way we can print it out and take it to the store when we need more.

Japan: Hiroshima 33 - Valentine's Day

2006-02-13T22:27:00.000-11:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Just a short blurb on Valentine's Day in Japan. In the past couple weeks, there have been chocolate ads everywhere for Valentine's Day....from bakeries to department stores. Yesterday, I was at Anderson department store and there was an insane line out the door of just women. Apparantly Valentine's Day is a hallmark holiday that requires Japanese women to buy chocolates for men. Men give nothing on Valentine's Day. The women buys two kinds of chocolates:

1. Love chocolates - For the man in her life be it a boyfriend or husband
2. Obligation chocolates - For the men at work and friends. Many American men mistaken this as a token of affection from Japanese women. But not to worry, this is merely obligation candy.

However on March 14, it is the man's turn to buy a woman gifts on White Day. He can give her chocolates, a scarf or such. However, it should be double the price of what she gave him on Valentine's Day. Yeah, He better recognize! Pierre Marcoloni chocolates are available in Tokyo for $80 per 25 pieces. Call it insurance, she's just ensuring she'll get a phat gift in return!

Current article on Valentine's Day in Japan: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060213/lf_nm/life_japan_valentines_dc

Japan: Kyushu 32: Scenic Tour Day 2 and Back to Hiroshima

2006-02-08T16:50:00.000-11:00

On the 2nd day of our stay, we were offered 3 different tours to choose from. I chose Tour A:

A course: Trip to Satsuma Peninsula (southern most point); Nagasaki no Hana (park on the ocean; nice views of volcanic peaks/islands); trip to the well-preserved Samurai Street (Samurai houses and gardens), a fishing port/village and a karukan factory (karukan is a famous dessert/sweet made in Kyushu).

Samurai village
The Samurai village is a small community of houses that used to house Samurai, but is now a tourist stop. The homes each have a garden area. The guide spoke in Japanese so I couldn't understand a word except that we were supposed to admire the garden. My friend did translate that the roof tiles were from the 17th century, the rocks were brought from the ocean, and the hedges are not cut straight across, but rather like the mountains so that they blend in with the background. Also the roads in a Samurai village are not built straight, they all curve so that enemies in the village cannot find them easily.

Seaside Lunch and Scenic stops
Stop at the park and views.

Lunch was more seafood at a place near the water.

Rest stop with yellow flowers everywhere.

On the way back the 3rd day we stopped for lunch at a well known fishing port, Shimonoseki. It is also one of the few places whale meat can be bought. About 30 yrs. ago whale meat was abundant, however it is now a rare delicacy. My friend bought a piece about the size of a bar of soap for $100. We also visited an amazing aquarium, Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum: http://www.kaikyokan.com/english/index.html

Japan: Kyushu 31: Nightly entertainment and Onsen

2006-02-08T16:19:00.000-11:00

In the evenings, we'd be served a huge set dinner. Since we are near the ocean, it was always fish...a lot of sashimi on this trip. Then afterwards, karaoke was our nightly form of entertainment.

Later, it was onto the Onsen. The Onsens were located on the 2nd floor. Men and Women are separate because you have to be naked to go in. Definitely not for the shy. Japanese do not have a problem being naked in front of each other. It is part of culture at public baths, onsens, even at my gym there is a shared soaking tub. However, the number one rule is that you have to take a shower and rinse clean before you can go in. No towels, bathings suits or anything is allowed in the water to dirty it up. Inside the Onsen you strip, go to one of the showers provided and clean yourself, then go soak in the hot springs. The air smells like sulfur but it is extremely relaxing. Particularly the outdoor one that is surrounded by a garden. Website of pics of the Onsen inside: http://www.kirikoku.co.jp/onsen/onsen.html

Everyone walks around the hotel in their yukata (me in mine)

Japan: Kyushu 30: Onsen Here We Come!

2006-02-08T15:32:00.000-11:00

Japan is made of many volcanic arcs (curved belt of volcanoes). Therefore, onsens (hot springs) are a plenty and is the common past time of the Japanese. The waters are natural, hot and full of minerals which are supposed to be great for the skin and relaxing. Some of the ladies from the Women's Club invited me to go on a Japanese tour bus down to Kyushu (southern prefecture of Japan) to a very well known Onsen in Kirishima. Since it is winter and the tour is meant for Japanese people, we only paid about $300 for 3 days, 2 nights at a hotel, all meals, and transportation.

The trip from Hiroshima to our destination is a 10 hour bus ride, including rest stops every 2 hours. Our tour director is a woman at the front of the bus, who despite her tiny size, as a voice that is piercing. People warned me that tour directors will talk non-stop the whole ride. I had a headache after 3 hrs. Ipod rescued me for the duration. Lunches are at a "mess hall" like place where set lunches are already put out for people on tours. Rest stops are rather clean and there is always 1 or 2 Western toilets available. Otherwise you're stuck using Japanese toilets.

We traveled thru very mountainous terrain and finally arrived at the Kirishima Kokusai Hotel: www.kirikoku.co.jp It is built on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. You see stacks of smoke arise from hills beyond and pipes everywhere channeling the hot spring water into all the buildings. The hotel was large and for the cheap price we paid, we slept 4 to a room on tatami.

View from our balcony:

Japan: Hiroshima 29 - How we stay in touch with America

2006-01-26T22:52:00.001-11:00

Lance and I enjoy living in Japan. We try to get involved in the culture in many ways. However, there are times we are homesick and thru the latest technologies we're able to stay in touch with our friends and know exactly what's going on in the U.S. I am so thankful we moved during a time when all these things are available! Here's what we use so if you ever move out of the country, you're aware of them too:

Vonage: Voice Over IP phone service - We signed up for it in the US and brought the adapter to Japan. It is clear as a bell. If it wasn't for Vonage I would not be able to talk to my friends and family as much as I do. For $24.99/mo. we get a U.S. phone number that we can dial and receive calls to and from America, without international rates charged to us or the people who call us. And no strange international dialing. The only requirement is a high speed internet connection for the calls to transport thru. The best part is people can reach you at the same number anywhere you travel in the world.

Japan TV - One of the few channels that come in English is CNN World News and BBC. It's great to still be able to know what's going on in the world. I also started watching Fox channel here. However, the shows are somewhat dated and are dubbed in Japanese: The Simpsons, Roswell, Ali McBeal... It's a great way to learn Japanese. I also watch the Japanese Karaoke channel to help with my reading. Other than that Japan TV is filled with a ton of game shows. I'm disappointed that they don't air the MXC show from Spike TV. I always said I'm not leaving Japan til I can go to a taping or be a contestant.

iTunes: Music and TV shows - Thank God for iTunes! I get to keep up with my weekly shows - Desperate Housewives and Lost! For $1.99/episode Lance and I download them and project it onto our TV just as if we were in the U.S. It is amazing picture quality. The shows are posted about 2 days after they're on in the U.S. We also try to keep up with the latest music thru iTunes.

Slingbox and Tivo - When we left the US, Lance gave our Tivo to his Dad. Then he bought a Slingbox to install with the Tivo. Basically we are able to control our Tivo remote control from Japan and we can stream anything we want to our laptops and hook it up to our TV. I can still watch my Today Show and Katie Couric every evening (morning there). Problem with this so far is that it is not that clear. Kinda like a pixelized picture blown up...it really depends on the streaming rate. Lance is hoping he'll be able to watch Superbowl!

Japan: Hiroshima 28 - Oysters and Karaoke

2006-01-26T22:00:00.000-11:00

Hiroshima is famous for it's oysters. Apparently people come from all over the world not only to visit Peace Park, but also to eat this delicacy. So the Oyster Conclave restaurant is exactly where we went when Lance's Japanese co-workers threw a small Welcome Party for me. In the States I don't typically eat oysters. The times I have tried raw oysters I eat them with a ton of cocktail sauce and swallow them whole. Unfortunately this method cannot be applied to Hiroshima oysters because they are HUGE. If I wasn't mistaken, I'd have to assume they were either injected with horomones or are the gianormous ancestors of the dinosaur age, from which oysters originated. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture to post on my blog. Let's just say you cannot swallow them whole unless you want to choke.

The first course was raw oysters sprinkled w/salt and lime juice, next grilled oysters topped w/chopped tomotoes, then oysters Rockerfeller, next oysters on a bed of oyster rice, next oyster. At the end I was completely oystered out and do not want to eat any for a long long time.

Afterwards we did the next favorite Japanese past time which is to sing Karaoke! All Asian countries love it. We went to a Karoake establishment (much like the KTVs in Taiwan). It's almost like a hotel where you rent your own small room for a couple hours. The room is equipped w/an awesome sound sytem, TV, couches and tables. You get to sing your heart out in front of only your party of people. Also a server comes by every now and then to serve you any drinks or food orders. Lance's coworkers sang many Japanese songs. I was floored by how many American songs were available... including many recent songs. I sang appropriate songs in front of his coworkers, that I hadn't heard in a long time: Madonna, Bangles, Lisa Loeb, Beach Boys... Next time I want to go just w/Lance so we can sing inappropriate songs, get drunk and embarrass ourselves. They even had Busta Rhymes and Tupac...

Check out pic of how into it his coworker is:

Japan: Hiroshima 27 - Hiroshima International Women's Club

2006-01-24T21:27:00.000-11:00

I have recently joined the Hiroshima International Women's Club. And it is fantastic. I was told by other expatriate wives that this was a great club to get involved in while I am living in Japan. It is a social club made up of foreign and Japanese women. I've also learned there are such clubs in other countries as well, depending on where you live. It is wonderful to finally make some friends here. I have met women from many countries including, U.S., Ireland, U.K., S. Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan... They've given me advice on anything from where to buy foreign foods (like oatmeal, peanut butter, or Mexican food ingredients), to which countries are best for vacations (like what to do in Bangkok or Vietnam).

Everyday there are classes and activites to sign up for. For instance, last week I attended a cultural forum and volunteered to go play with children at a Children's Home for orphaned or abandoned children. The kids were sooo cute! And they weren't afraid of me because they thought I was Japanese. This week I took a class in Japanese cooking and Origami. I know you're thinking origami is just folding paper, cause that's what I thought. But boy, after an hour, I realize I should be in remedial Origami.

Next week I am taking a trip with some of the other ladies to a city called Kyushu to stay at a Hotel Onsen for 3 days. An Onsen is a hot springs, which are very popular in Japan.

Taiwan: Taipei 24 - Taipei Sightseeing: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, National Palace Museum, New Years at 101

2006-01-11T15:51:00.000-11:00

The subway and taxis make sightseeing in Taipei super easy. The three main places Lance and I really enjoyed and got great pictures of are:

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial - http://www.cksmh.gov.tw/english/index.htm
This memorial is to commerate the passing of President Chiang Kai Shek. It is made up of gardens & ponds, a gate, National Opera house, National Concert hall and the Memorial Hall.

National Palace Museum - http://www.npm.gov.tw/main/fmain_en.htm
As quoted from the website: "The National Palace Museum (NPM) in Taipei is home to one of the foremost collections of Chinese art and objects in the world. The extensive range includes bronzes, jades, ceramics, lacquerware, curios, calligraphy, painting, rare books, ..."

Taipei 101 during New Year's - Taipei 101 during New Year's transformed itself into something as crazy as Times Square in NYC. All stores in the area were open for 24 hrs. The waits for any restaurant for dinner was about 2 hrs. long and all movie tickets were sold out at the theater. The building itself put on a spectacular fireworks show at midnight. Lance and I went out for dinner, but the crowds kept us from staying any longer. Besides, we had the perfect view of the firework display on the patio of my Aunt and Uncle's condo:

Taiwan: Tainan 23 - Night and Food market, Temple and Anping Fort

2006-01-11T15:47:00.000-11:00

After a couple days in Taipei, we traveled to Tainan. Tainan is a city in southern Taiwan where my Grandma and other relatives live. By car, it is a 4 hr. trip; by plane, it is a 45 min. flight for roughly $60 one-way. We spent 3 days at my Grandma's house. Here are some of things we experienced:

Food market - Food markets exist everywhere in Taiwan. Fresh fruits, vegetables and meats are abundant. But beware the food market has a very distinct smell that I have never smelled anywhere else before but can recognize in an instant

Night market - People come out to play at the night markets in Tainan. Every night of the week there is as night market, but where depends on the day. Night markets are filled with vendor stalls selling everything from food, clothes, shoes, accessories to jewelry and toys. They are very cheap and you are expected to bargain and negotiate everything down. I love night markets where I can buy the cutest shoes for $10 or less. Also to be aware of, some vendors will not let you try on clothing so that is the trade off for their prices.

Temple -

Anping Gubao - also known as Anping Fort or Fort Zealandia, is a historical landmark. Construction began in 1624 and finished during the Ming dynasty 1640. It has been occupied by first the Dutch, then the British destroyed most of it, and finally during the Japanese occupation, it was razed to the ground. The steps and walls have been rebuilt and is now a sightseeing landmark for visitors.

Taiwan: Taipei 22 - Food

2006-01-11T15:06:00.000-11:00

The food in Taiwan is yummy and the variety of food was so good to have after being in Japan.

Here is a fresh fruit cart that are sold everywhere. Taiwan is like a tropical island so the weather is not cold even in winter and the fruit is sweet and delicious year round. Some of my favorites are ones that are not sold in the US - wax apples, HUGE guavas and asian pears, yellow watermelon, some fuschia looking fruit with black seeds and whatever that green thing is called in the pic:

The food court in Taipei 101 is amazing, and filled with a variety of different choices. Lance got his fill of Korean food:
And we went to the Famous Taiwan restaurant - Din Tai Fung. Known for their xiao long bao and dumplings. The dough skins are made so thin and need to be eaten with a spoon because the hot broth spills out. From the time it opens til closing, it is busy non-stop. The line to get in is always long and many Japanese tourist go there to eat. . Check out the pics of all the workers who make them around the clock. http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/eng/

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Taiwan: Taipei 21 - After 4 years

2006-01-05T22:38:00.000-11:00

For the holidays, Lance had a nice long vacation off from work. Due to the cost and timing this year, we were not able to go home to the US for Christmas. Instead, we went to Taiwan. Lance was able to meet my extended family and experience Taiwan. The last time I was there myself was about 4 years ago. And it has changed dramatically since.

First day we landed in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei. There we stayed with my Aunt and Uncle in their nice condo in downtown. They're place is within walking distance to Taipei 101, which is the tallest building in the world today(http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100765). 101 had not existed the last time I visited. Along with the construction of this building other shopping plazas, restaurants, clubs, and movie theaters emerged around it. It is amazing. Lance and I were astounded by how many American and European stores, clothing brands and restaurants there were. We got to not only enjoy good Taiwanese/Chinese food, but also enjoyed American restaurants like Macaroni grill, Chili's and Friday's (which we will not have for a while). For Lance, it was also very easy to get around and talk to people in Taiwan. Most everyone could speak and understand English. There is a stark contrast between Taiwan and Japan in regards to how open they are to foreigners.

Cost of items is also roughly the same equivalent as they are in the US. For example, movies are about $8-$10 per person. With the exception that shoes and food are cheaper than the US. Lance and I even went to Costco in Taipei out of curiousity. We love that store and was delighted to find it is bigger than the ones in the US and offered so many American and Asian brands at the same prices.

Taipei has a small subway system that is easy to navigate and there are cheap taxis galore. We were in Taiwan for a total of 10 days. The weather was about mid to high 60s. And Lance happily went on 3 golf outings with my cousin, uncle and their friends. The golf courses were gorgeous, and provided female caddies. Lance said the only English his particular caddy spoke was "bye-bye. bye-bye" whenever someone's ball flew into the trees.

Japan: Hiroshima 20 - Things I do not understand

2005-12-18T23:57:00.000-11:00

I'd like to dedicate this posting of Things I Don't Understand to my Dry Cleaner: J-Cleaning (aka Jackass).

1. Why does "Jackass" come to our house to deliver and pick up our drycleaning at all hours of the night? He has come by 10:30pm before and never shows on the day he says he will. He also just lost our biggest orders of 12 shirts and has given us other people's clothes. Why?

2. Why do they only issue one type of uniform to Japanese schoolgirls? I see these poor girls in short skirts freezing outside, while it is snowing.

3. Why are there so many coins in Japan? 100 Yen and 500 Yen come in the form of a coin. That is equivalent to a $1 and $5. You can only imagine how quickly you'll spend money here.

4. Why is Japanese so hard to learn? For every phrase there is way to say it casually, casual politely, politely, more politely and formally politely. Men and women also have different ways to speak.

5. Why are there point cards for every store? I've been here 3 weeks and already have membership and point cards to 10 different stores. I'm sure I'll be collecting more soon.

6. Why is there smoke in No Smoking sections?

7. Why do they keep playing the same Japanese commercials over and over and over and over....during every commercial break?

8. Why are so many girls pigeon-toed?

9. Why are there noodles in everything we eat? Lance thinks it's a conspiracy, he claims they hide them. Even in foods that don't look like there are noodles involved, just lift it and there are noodles underneath.

10. Why did I buy these gross chicken things tonight? I wondered why this pack of chicken pieces were so cheap. After I cooked them and took a bite, turns out they were chicken fat.

Japan: Hiroshima 19 - Ordering Pizza

2005-12-15T22:23:00.000-11:00

Finally I have recovered from the flu and sore throat to catch up on my blog.

Tonight Lance has dared me to order pizza. We receive many mouth-watering brochures for food delivery on a daily basis in the mail. Hiroshima residents LOVE Italian food. There are many many pizzerias and Italian restaurants.

The idea of ordering seems quite simple at first. I try to web-order for easier communication. WRONG. Try ordering on this site: http://www.pizza-cali.net/pc/menu.html
I got so far as the 2nd webpage.

I call in and upon listening to a 5 minute soliloquy of what I can assume are daily specials, I had to ask 5 times if I reached "Chicago-Pizza." Thankfully it's the right number and though I spell my name 4 times, she writes it down as E-I-I-M. I order a large crispy crust pizza called the Mama Mia for $33.00. It is divided into 4 quarters and has different toppings on each. Pizzas here like to put lines of mayonnaise and things like shrimp and asparagus on it, among the the common toppings we like in the US.

A delivery guy shows up what seemed like only 5 minutes and the pizza is delicious. I do discover one of the toppings is anchovy with pepperoni and onions. But the other toppings include chicken terikyaki and broccoli, another is sausage, corn, asparagus and lines of mayonnaise. Oishii desu!

Japan: Hiroshima 18 - First visit to the Doctor

2005-12-09T16:45:00.000-11:00

All day I have been craving a burrito.

I've been sick for the past week. Probably something I contracted in Tokyo. Most likely a foreign flu strain, with a touch of a sore throat from hell. It puts me in a really good mood. I know what you're thinking, yes I did wonder if it was SARS but decided against it because I have been in misery too long.

My Japanese teacher took me to a doctor this past Tuesday. I completely lost my voice that morning. Interesting experience. There are no such things as appointments here (similar to other Asian countries). It's first come, first serve and if you're smart, you'll show up when they open. I wonder if camping is allowed....

The clinic lobby was filled with old Japanese men. I fell asleep while everyone watched a morning show on TV - like a Japanese verion of Regis and Kelly on speed. When it was my turn, I was led to the patient room. Unlike US doctors who make patients wait forever in the patient room by themselves, the doctor was already sitting there. He could speak understandable English and told me to sit in the chair across from him (not on the patient bed). He also had a huge flat screen computer where he would look up English medical words to translate to me. He prescribed me 5 different kind of medicines. When I asked him what the dose was of each, he did Yahoo searches on the medicines to get the dosage. That was little alarming. Luckily, I didn't need to go to the pharmacy cause they gave me my medicines right there. Also, no one told me about side affects til I discovered them myself. Basically I feel like I've been floating for the past week. Good thing I haven't operated heavy machinery.

Three times a day, I dump a pack of MSG looking powder into my mouth and swallow with water. Take 2 pills, and gargle w/what looks and smells like Iodine that I mix with water. It gives you gas like a champion.

Most American drugs are illegal here because they contain acephetomin (sp?) as a fever reducer. Luckily I bulk bought them at Cost-co.

Japan: Tokyo 17 - Shibuya and the Imperial Palace

2005-12-04T23:42:00.000-11:00

Shibuya:
"Every teen in Japan knows Shibuya, the center of youth culture...the distraction of five giant screens playing J-pop videos...Japan's busiest pedestrian crossing, with cheap stores, restaurants, and bars, shopping is pursued with the passion of an Olympic event" from Tokyo Guide.

This is all completely true. Lance and I went there Saturday night and it is the most hopping place I'd ever been to. We got off the train station at Shibuya and just the volume of people at this station will shock you. When we got out into the street I was like "Where the did all these people come from?" It is insane...and apparantly completely normal for Shibuya. Tons of trendy people. We had dinner at a delicious Chinese restaurant and spent time at the HMV music store. You can listen to all the CDs on headphones and we ended buying 2 Japanese CDs.

Sidenote 1: Check out the blowfish sushi restaurant in the pic
Sidenote 2: There was also the largest 2-floor Coach store I've ever seen in Shibuya. I visited and paid homage.

That evening we went to Harajuku but it was dead. It's supposed to be good on Sundays, but were not able to go since we left Saturday morning.

Imperial Palace:
The Palace grounds are huge. If you visit, bring really good walking shoes. I walked 20 miles just to get to the inner gate. Free admission gets you in to see the gardens. However, if you want a tour of the Palace, you have to submit an application at least a day in advance.

Japan: Tokyo 16 - Tea ceremony and Hotel Otani

2005-12-04T23:28:00.000-11:00

I went to visit a tea ceremony at the Hotel New Otani. This hotel is fabulous! It is in the Asakasa area. It was only 2 stops away from my hotel. Using a combination of 3 maps I found it....even though it is a 3 min. walk from the station. It is in a super nice area. My Japanese teacher told me Princess Diana had stayed at this hotel. Hotel Otani is huge - made up of 3 buildings and includes tons of high end shopping: Salvatore Ferragamo, Christion Dior, Versace and the likes. Lots of restaurants too. There was an outside Japanese garden in the middle of the hotel buildings.

Tea ceremony:
The tea ceremony is located on the 7th floor. It is $10.00 for a 25 min. performance, cup of hot green tea and a sweet red bean dessert. I was the only person in there at the time, so I able to enjoy it by myself. The tea woman spoke a few words of English so was not able to explain alot. First I took my shoes off of course and sat down on a straw mat. She placed the red bean sweet in front of me and told me to eat it while she prepped. Her actions are deliberate and commanding. First she picks up each tool she is going to use and shows them in a ceremonious way (reminiscent of Karate Kid when Daniel-san went to Okinawa). Then she took a ceremic bowl, opened the lid to a pot in the ground and placed the lid on top of a glass stand. The pot in the ground is very hot and already contains hot water. It sits on charcoals underneath. Then she scoops the hot water into the bowl and uses a bamboo whisk to whisk it around. She then pours this into a bowl on the side. The purpose was to clean the bowl.

Next she takes a container of green tea powder and puts a little into the bowl. She opens another container full of fresh cold water and takes a scoop, dumps it into the hot pot and scoops out a mix of hot and cold water into the bowl. Then she whisks it into a frothy bowl of green tea. She places the bowl towards me on the floor, then she scoots up to it and continues doing that til the bowl is right in front of me.

She presents me the tea by turning it twice clockwise and I take it w/my right hand and place it on top of my left hand and turn it twice clockwise. If the tea is good, I am supposed to drink it in one gulp. When done, I am to wipe the bowl where my mouth was, turn it twice counter clockwise and put it on the floor. She wraps up the ceremony by putting everything back and showing the tools off once more. Despite seeing it in movies and reading about it, it is very cool to experience yourself.

Japan: Tokyo 15 - Asakusa and a Sento

2005-12-04T02:26:00.000-11:00

Asakusa tourism:
Asakusa, not to be mistakened for Akasaka, is the heart of old downtown Tokyo. It is famous for the Senso-ji Temple, the largest temple in Japan and a five storied pagoda. Leading up to it is the Kaminarimon Gate and a walkway known as the Nakamise Dori, chock full of traditional vendors and souvenir shops (dates back 500 years of practice). There are also tour guides that hassle tourists there, but they thought I was Japanese so was able to fend them off.

Pic 1: Kaminarimon Gate
Pic 2: Nakamise Dori
Pic 3: Pagoda
Pic 4: Senso-ji Temple

Sento in Asakusa:
I read about a Sento, or a public bath. And yes, out of my own curiousity and for blog material I stripped naked and went in. It was $4 for a bath, $1 towel rental, $.20 soap. Let's just say I have enough images of old naked women, to make me want to work out everyday for the rest of my life. You take off your shoes, put your junk in a locker and go into a room to scrub yourself down and wash yourself, then you are to soak in a huge pool of boiling hot water with everyone. I left after 10 minutes.

Japan: Tokyo 14 - Roppongi Hills

2005-12-04T01:44:00.000-11:00

First night we went to Roppongi Hills - one word: AWESOME! It is a brand new complex. Quote from the Floor Guide - "Art and Intelligent Blending with the Urban Landscape. One large city offering a range of entertainment from art museums, movie theaters, shopping and gourmet dining. The movie theater doesn't even close til 5 a.m. on weekends. The website is: http://www.roppongihills.com/en/index.html

It has American stores like Banana Republic (more expensive than at home!), Diesel, Max Mara, and other recognizable ones like Zara, Issey Miyake, Louis Vuitton, Mikimoto, Kate Spade and more. Obviously I love shopping. And it includes a Grand Hyatt. There is an observatory in Mori Tower and the 360 degree Tokyo view is absolutely breathtaking at night. It is open til midnight. You fully appreciate how large the city is. Stretches for further than the eye can see. You can also see the Eiffel Tower look alike close by.

The complex includes:
-North Tower - Casual Gourmet Dining area (where we had tapas)
-Metro Hat/Hollywood Plaza - 5 floors of Collaboration in beauty, diet and health
-West Walk - 6 floors of Trend galleria with open ceiling
-Hillside - Art & lifestyle space including entertainment
-Roppongi Keyaki - Tree lined streets w/name brands. shops, chic cafes

Current movies playing were Mr. and Mrs. Smith, In Her Shoes, Meet the Fockers, and others that I've already seen weeks ago back home. Movie tix are between $18-$20 in Japan. Current museum exhibit was "Vivienne Westwood, 35 years of Fashion" (I'm bummed I didn't have time to check it out).

Japan: Tokyo 13 - Subway and Food

2005-12-04T00:31:00.000-11:00

Subway:
The subway in Tokyo is amazing. First, the are 13 Metro lines and 2 JR lines. There's also streetcars and the Shinkansen line. You can preview a map here: http://www.tokyometro.jp/rosen/rosenzu/pdf/rosen_eng.pdf
There are also English subway maps available at each station and when in doubt the station desk can always help. Rates start at $1.60, depending where you want to go. There is also an English rate table above the ticket machines.

Food:
The cuisine was so delicious in Tokyo!!!! There are alot of American restaurants - including KFC, Subway, Domino's, TGIF, Hard Rock and of course McDonald's. Of course that's not the good stuff. There are Indian curries, Spanish tapas, Chinese, Irish bars, Italian, Japanese and more! The first night Lance and I had dinner at an awesome tiny yakitori restaurant in Roppongi. I will be forever thinking about it from now on. We had the most delicious radish salad w/ginger dressing and tomotoe salad sprinkled w/fresh grated peppercorns. Followed up with grilled yakitori skewers of steak and chicken. It had the best sauce on them. And asparagus in butter and lemon and grilled mushrooms. That was about $85. Thru the weekend we had tapas including a phenomal one of Japanese beef w/minced olives and some spicy sauce, amazing Chinese food, and strawberry cake at a bakery. They have yummy bakeries all over Japan! There's always fake plastic food outside restaurants so you can see what they serve. One of the nights we were walking we saw a line of people around the corner, only to find out this is what the long line was for....

Japan: Tokyo 12 - Intro

2005-12-03T23:53:00.000-11:00

Lance and I went to Tokyo this weekend. He had to be there for business, so I tagged along from Fri- Sun. Cool doesn't even begin to describe just how AMAZING it is!!!! There is so much to do and it's awesome! A weekend is not enough. I can't wait to go back and see more. I did find out that Sumo is only 3 months out of the yr. in Tokyo (stay tuned for when we do attend an event).

It is a 4 hr. train ride by Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Tokyo (approx. $500 roundtrip each. I belive it costs less by plane and takes 3 hrs.). As quoted from the Tokyo 2005 Guide (website - http://metropolis.japantoday.com/) I got from our hotel lobby - "Expect to be amazed, amuse, and dumbfounded by this city, which presents the past and future side by side. With some 34 million in the sprawling conurbation that constitutes Greater Tokyo, this is the largest city in the world, with 12 million more people (about the population of Greater London) than the next biggest city, Mexico City." Yes, it can be expensive, it is alot of fun, and it is so International! In some areas we heard more English than Japanese. There are also many Europeans. Just a ton of foreigners from all over the world.

Toyko is very westernized. Most sales people, restaurant servers, and hotel staff all speak English. Everything is American friendly. Although it may seem intimidating at first, the subway is supereasy to navigate and get around the city. Taxis will cost you an arm and a leg.

Since Lance had to work on Friday and Saturday, I explored the city by myself. I used many maps and brochures I picked up in Tokyo. This website was also very very helpful: http://www.planettokyo.com/. We stayed in the Roppongi area at a hotel called Villa Fonatine Roppongi. Check out how cool the toilets are! I know you're curious.

Japan: Hiroshima 11 - Crab Restaurant & Nagarakawa

2005-11-30T02:50:00.000-11:00

Tonight Lance took me to the mother of all Crab restaurants. One look at the entrance of the restaurant says it all:

It was in an area called Nagarakawa. There's a street full of restaurants, karaoke, and bars. And it's only a 10 minute walk from our apt.

Side note: Nagarakawa is hopping with nightlife. The streets are lined with well dressed women and men that look like there are going to prom (long dresses, silver stilettos, furs and animal prints). Lance thinks they are hookers with their pimps. I'll need to verify with my Japanese sensei tomorrow.

The meals here in Japan not only in small portions, but they come in sets (like a McDonald's value meal). These sets are tiny appetizer sized portions of food that are already put together from appetizer to dessert. It's like a 10 course meal that keeps coming out with no end. Thankfully there is no tipping here, otherwise the servers would never be able to turn tables.

We ordered a couple of a la cart items including crab dumplings and crab cakes. The set included boiled and roasted King crab, crab soup, crap nabu, boiled Snow crab, crab rice...I sound like Bubba. We did a learn a valuable lesson - found out we hate crab sashimi. It is slimy and I didn't even know that raw crab could be eaten til now. Our dumpling steamer had little fire under it. So when the waitress wasn't looking, we slipped all the raw meat into it and cooked it ourselves.

Side note: I verfied w/sensei and she said the women and men dressed up in Nagarakawa are called "bar hostesses." They are trying to get patrons into their bars where you would pay money to sit down, pay for expensive drinks and they persuade you to keep buying things. The women keep you company and the bars are frequented by business men after work. The men on the streets w/the hostesses are their guards....kinda like a strip club without the strippers.

Japan: Hiroshima 10 - Crash and Hondori

2005-11-29T23:08:00.000-11:00

Picture 1: snapshot of part of Hondori. Check out Little Bo Peep on the right. Don't ask.

Picture 2: Now we know where Bo Peep got her outfit.

Picture 3: Japanese Goth. Left one is a man's outfit. I know what to buy Lance for Christmas!

Due to the demands of my fans (both of them). They have requested I acknowledge and post a
quote about my accident the other day. Here it is:

"I crashed my bike. It hurt. I am still in pain."

Ok, enough said. No more talk about the accident.

Today I went to Honduri. This is the name of a street that refers to a huge shopping area in downtown. It's similar to an outdoor/indoor mall. Tons of stores and people. There are high end shops right next to 100 Yen or streetwear stores. There are also many foreigners. Though, most everyone here thinks I am Japanese. I have been accosted and held hostage by sales people in the hopes that I am dumb enough to buy a $30 dinner plate. Almost did. Then I open my mouth and I can see their expression transistion from hopeful to one of disappointment, that I am in fact a stupid American. Speaking of which I was a bit homesick today. Nothing McDonald's won't cure. Had a double cheeseburger meal w/fries. Tasted the same to me and it was $5.30 Not bad.

Under this plethora of shopping, there is also underground shopping! Yes, another vulnerable opportunity to go in debt! It's great. Lance has implemented shopping control in the form of a really small bike basket. He says it keeps me from buying things because I can only take home as much as my bike can carry....I'm thinking of installing 2 more in the back.

Japan: Hiroshima 9 - Language

2005-11-28T14:50:00.000-11:00

We've been taking Japanese lessons since before we moved here. Japanese is made up of 3 different forms of writing. The joys! First there is Hiragana which is roughly 100 combinations of vowels and consonants. Then there is Katagana which sounds exactly like Hiragana, but uses different symbols. I have no idea why. Lance claims there is a conspiracy to confuse foreigners. Katagana is mainly used to distinguish foreign words that the Japanese have adopted like ice-cream or even our names in Japanese. Lastly there is Kanji, which are chinese characters. Lucky for us, they mix these 3 forms of writing together. It is a slow learning process to say the least, and everything sounds the same.

Side note: My favorite word is reizoko. I told Lance if we get a Japanese pet I'd want to name it reizoko. It means refridgerator. We could call it zoko for short....like fridge.

Many people can understand a little bit of English and when paired w/our spastic hand gestures, it goes a long way. So it works pretty well. Some restaurants have an English menu when asked. Incidentally, Lance went to a restaurant where someone had translated it into English for them. One of the items was chicken a**holes. Either the translator was trying to be funny, or he had no idea what it was and made it up. To my knowledge, the only chicken a**holes that exist are the chicken rings from White Castle.

Japan: Hiroshima 8 - Book & 100 Yen stores

2005-11-28T14:24:00.000-11:00

Bookstores:
Lance and I love to read and have a found a great bookstore that takes up an entire floor of a department store that is connected to the train station. They have one long aisle dedicated to books in English. It's a pretty good selection and includes popular books like Da Vinci code and Harry Potter. There are even recent publications of National Geographic, Time and the sorts. The drawback is of course the cost. A $6 paperback in the States will cost you about $10-15 here. I'll find out if ordering thru Amazon is worth the extra shipping costs....

100 Yen stores:
Before I moved to Japan, a friend of mine told me I will love the 100 Yen shops. These are equivalent to $1 shops! Yeah, finally something cheap! They sell alot more than the $1 stores back home. We even bought our wine glasses there...considering we have don't have plates yet, clearly our priorites are in the right place.

Japan: Hiroshima 7 - Outfits/Trends and Shopping

2005-11-28T10:30:00.000-11:00

The shopping here is incredible. Similar to other Asian countries, one single deparment store can be 12 floors high. And VERY expensive. For example, the Coach stores here havethe same purses as in the U.S. but are priced at $100 -$300 more. The purse Lance bought for me for my birthday in Michigan, retails for $600 here! No wonder all those Japanese toursits go nuts and bulk buy when they go to the States.

The trendy outfits in Hiroshima are tiny mini skirts. Especially the pleated ones, with tall boots. And little shrugs w/fur collars. All women are dressed very nicely, whether it is for business or to look trendy. And most wear skirts. The trendy stores play loud American rap music, expletives and all. The nicer stores play American Christmas music (If I have to hear what Mariah Carey wants for Christmas one more time....).

Also for some reason, it seems like %60 of the women I see are pigeon toed. Not sure if this is a learned trait or maybe it's just cool. It's alarming, I dont' know how they walk..they all drag their stilettoed feet pigeon toed. And it is strange to feel tall here, but at 5'4" , I do.

Japan: Hiroshima 6 - Beautiful views of the city

2005-11-26T03:22:00.000-11:00

I did some exploring and went biking on my own. It is about 50-60 degrees right now. Check out some these beautiful images of the city:

City View.

The A-Bomb Dome in Peace Memorial Park. This building was left standing to remind people of what the atomic bomb destruction did and keep global peace.

City's waterways. There are 6 rivers that run thru the city. Hiroshima makes me think of Amsterdam.

Upscale stores. It's not a city without Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Armani. Where do these people get their money????

Traditional Japanese Kimonos. They were priced between $1,000-$3,000 each. Again, how can they afford it?

Japan: Hiroshima 5 - Gyms, pet stores and electronics oh my!

2005-11-25T02:56:00.000-11:00

Picture 1 - Lance on the popular weight loss machine. Call me crazy but don't think it'll work. It's like owning a mechanical bull in your living room.

Picture 2 - 65" Plasma TV

Gyms:
As part of Ford expatriate benefits, they will cover gym membership and annual cost in Hiroshima. That's nice you think, til you see the cost of joining...then you realize it is really $%&* nice! The gym we are joining is super sweet. But it's not worth what they are charging. To get memebership started, we will need to pay $5,000 for both of us. That's not a typo. There is a $2,000 deposit, a $1,500 annual cost, plus $5.25 everytime you use it and $46 for guests. If I were Japanese, I'd rather sit at home and get fat.

Pet stores:
Lance took me to an incredible pet store here! They sell everything like piranhas, and beetles the size of North America. Ok, that's exaggerating. They're Texas sized. There was a $2,000 fish, Harry Potter's owl, and Ross' monkey from Friends.

Electronic stores:
The one we have visited most is DEO DEO. It is 6 floors filled w/electronic goodies. Everything comes in fun colors. You can buy a pink or yellow fridge, neon vaccum cleaner and irons come in every color of the rainbow. The digital cameras and cell phones are amazing. My cell phone has GPS and a 3 megapixel camera. (In our Mazda, the GPS screen can also tune into TV and we can change TV channels in the car) Although the electronics in the store were cool, we soon realized all menus and interfaces are in Japanese. And we had to buy the least complicated models = the least cool.

Japan: Hiroshima 4 - Grocery shopping

2005-11-23T14:20:00.000-11:00

The Grocery stores have a large selection of pre-made foods. And aisles and aisles dedicated to noodles. Their produce is interesting…things like bell peppers are super tiny like the size of a small tangerine. Other stuff like leeks and green onions are super thick and 3 feet long. Cantaloupe is considered a very nice gift. They are sold in cellophane boxes and I’ve seen them anywhere from $18 - $44 for one. Everything is sold in small portions, much like Europe. All restaurants give the perfect amount of food that will fill, but not stuff you. The grocery carts are like the toy ones you had when you were little. Feels like "pretending" to grocery shop.

Hiroshima is mainly a cash society. Beware if you use your credit card, they'll ask how you want to break down the number of payments to your credit card. Much like financing, the store can charge your credit card anyway you want, even if you want to pay $20 in 4 installments.

After check out, they give you like 1 plastic bag for every 10 items and you bag it yourself at a long row of tables in front of the cash registers. There are no baggers in grocery stores. On the other end of the spectrum, clerks in department stores will wrap your purchases 2-3 times in paper and small bags before giving it to you in a larger plastic bag which they tape closed. No wonder the trash system is needed...

Japan: Hiroshima 3 - Garbage and Toilets

2005-11-22T00:26:00.000-11:00

The garbage system here is something else. The thing about Japan is that it is insanely clean! That is the first impression you will notice when you arrive. The irony? There is no litter on the streets, yet you cannot find a public trash can. You will see no graffitti or smell stinky trash anywhere.

So how does this affect home life - try separating your own trash into 8 different types. We have 5 trash cans in our kitchen. Trash is picked up daily. We have to put it out before 8:30am, but cannot put it out the night before. Certain types of trash have designated days. We don't dare mess up because the Trash Nazis are ready to fingerpoint if you so much as place a tiny piece of paper in plastics. Lance swears they open the bags just for the pleasure of it.
The types of trash are as follows: Combustible garbage, PET bottles (plastic), Recyclable plastics, Other plastics, Incombustible garbage, Recyclable garbage, Toxic garbage, and Large garbage. Ya, good luck, we'll need it.

My other favorite thing about our apartment are our toilets. Some Japanese toilets have bidets. Ours have heated seats! Big deal you think, until you've sat down on a toasty seat with temperature control. You'll want to settle down with a magazine or take a nap.

Japan: Hiroshima 2 - Our Apartment and Parking

2005-11-21T11:52:00.000-11:00

I love our apartment because it is so convenient. This is the first time I've ever lived in a city. We live in downtown Hiroshima and are only a couple blocks away from the shopping district and restaurants. It is only an 8 minute walk to the train station.

The apartment is a very nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath apt, in the Shukkeien Park area. We don't have all our furniture yet. I plan to order more this week. We don't have couches, until our air and sea shipments get here. Which will take about 2 months. Rent is ridiculous as you probably imagine. It is approximately $4,200/mo. Thankfully we get expatriate benefits to help us with part of it. (See pic of washing machine, can it be any smaller?)

The best way to go is to walk or bike everywhere (check out our sweet bike pic). There are taxis galore or we drive our bright blue Mazda 3. Most cars in Japan are either white, silver or black. We stick out like a sore thumb. Parking is rather interesting. The parking garages are the coolest thing I've ever seen! The system is a cross between an elevator and conveyer belt. Basically you pull into a one car garage over a rotating floor, park and get out. The floor drops and your car is swallowed into a series of other shelved cars. When you want your car, you punch in a code and watch the floor open and the cars rotate til it finds yours and brings it up. Then it rotates around so you can drive right out...very a la James Bond.

Japan: Hiroshima 1 - Moving to Hiroshima

2005-11-19T21:49:00.000-11:00

Today I moved to Hiroshima to join my husband, Lance. He was transferred to Japan 3 months ago to work at Mazda. The flight was 13 hours long on Northwest Airlines, since they have direct flights from Detroit to Osaka. Then we had to hop on a 2 leg, 2 hour train ride to Hiroshima. Which is really really difficult when you're jet lagged (Japan is 14 hours ahead of EST). The first train ride is 1/2 hr long from the airport to Shin-Osaka (Osaka's train station). Then we had to switch trains to get on the Shinkansen. The Shinkansen btw, is AWESOME! They are the bullet trains that run thru Japan that can reach top speeds of over 200 mph. The sound standing next to it is like something you've never heard.

Tonight, we grabbed some quick bites at a night market and went to an American bar close by.