Once we got used to using the bidet and butt washer, I'm thinking it would be a pretty neat thing to market in the U.S.
When we learned that we would be having rice balls and miso soup for breakfast, we were a little skeptical that it would satisfy us. We were delighted to find that the rice balls (mixed with salmon, sesame seeds or tuna) were delicious with various pickled veggies and the miso soup and tea. It was more than enought to sustain us until lunch.
We liked the Japanese heading to their newspaper. "Without fear or favor..." Lovely!
At first we found the Japanese traffic lights rather daunting and confusing. The red light would be on but there would also be green arrows.... and several of them....what to do...what to do. Art must have nerves of steel. He got into the car and after turning on the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal several times, he was on his way. My mother sat next to him and translated what the GPS system was saying.
We stopped for lunch in a town called Shimuzu that must have a lot of bears. We saw bears in the shops but none on the road.
After watching Art drive for a while, Dennis offered to give it a try. He was a real trooper... hmmmm... even more daring than Art I'd say. Mom has nerves of steel too, sitting next to him.
These arrows over the road helped us keep to the left side of the road.
My dinner tonight was fish eggs over rice and miso soup. Very nice but I was hungry again an hour later.
Today was a long day of driving. Tomorrow, we'll be on our way to Utoro!
Here are some fun differences we've noticed about Japan so far:
1. No taxes on things you buy so most things are round numbered and you pay the price listed.
2. No tipping. We especially like this one. You never have to wonder how much you should be tipping, you don't have to.
3. Toilet seat wipes are provided in many toilets. But then again, there are often no soap to wash your hands with and no paper towels to wipe your hands with.
4. The service people are extremely kind and solicitous. I really, really like this. This is very impressive. I wish it could be this way all around the world. It would make for a happier, kinder world.
5. Many cars have a boxy shape to them and the colors are usually white or black or muted.
Yeah, I could understand your being hungry after fish eggs. Eeuww.
ReplyDeleteUmm, what do all those buttons on the bidet control? Pardon my ignorance.
Hello Kay !
ReplyDeleteEncore un beau voyage...
A plus tard...
Great post! Interesting, as usual. The traffic lights, with green arrows and a red light simultaneously would definitely confuse and terrify me.
ReplyDeleteglad we are still on vacation with you. my sons laughed and laughed over the fancy toilets with all the buttons which included warm water to wash your bottom. it was such a contrast with the public toilets where you squat over a hole. progress. what an adventure driving on the wrong side. now we can have sympathy with the foreign tourists especially british who visit us. have fun eating and exploring japan.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick reply since I need to get to sleep now. The buttons are to set if you want the spray to aim toward your front or back. Some of the toilets also have settings for the strength of the spray. Pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteKay;
ReplyDeleteLove your travelog...never ever boring Just got back from my Moms...crisis averted again!
Love miso soup...I could get used to eating it for breakfast!
Another interesting couple of days following your travels. It is very enlightening, especially the small things like oatmeal with onions, sticks instead of toilet tissue, miso soup for breakfast, and interesting traffic lights.
ReplyDeleteLoving it.
Kay you're funny. :) I could have waited for your answer till you get home, ya know.
ReplyDeleteThat's as close to potty talk you will ever get, I reckon. LOL
Yalla, get some sleep.
Tif emailed and said how great it was to talk to you via webcam. Think I would skip breakfast. I do love the no tipping though! Kay, I LOVE that photo of Dennis and the bear. I'm going to see if I can save it on the desktop. Bidets are interesting once you get use to them. Sure beats that squat method you previously had, yeah?
ReplyDeleteLove you guys...can't wait for the next installment of your adventures.
Goodness! I havent been here a week and there's a mountain of things to catch up on! 10 days already =) Aahhahaah, wow its certainly obvious that you're having such a great time there. Havent been to Japan before although its relatively close to my country. Btw do you speak Japanese? I heard that people there DO NOT speak english. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThis has been such fun! Do youthink you could extend our vacation with yu a week or two? I'm not ready to unpack the views of Japan from my laptop yet.
ReplyDeleteKay, I'm still trying to get over the squat toilets!
ReplyDeleteNot so sure about fish eggs either.
Glad you're still having a great time.