JAPAN!

So, summer is here!  Yay!  Started out in London with three-fourths of the family plus Christy and Bailey, then went to Wales (country #30!), and I am currently in Japan (country #31!) with the KatieDale!  YAY!

I didn't come to Japan with any expectations really, so I wasn't sure what to expect!  Ha.  Weird how that works, eh? 

Went to Hiroshima my first weekend here, then I solo'd to Osaka/Kyoto this week.  Tomorrow we go to Fuji!  Sunday and Monday will be dedicated to Tokyo, then I leave for a 27 hour layover in London before making my way back to the desert.

Anyways, here are some things I've observed/learned about Japan and its people:

• cities are BIG
• things IN the city are TINY (i.e. houses, people, cars)
• they wear masks a lot, but sneeze without covering their mouths (ew)
• there are A LOT of signs
• there are 3 different types of writing
• very few Japanese like to speak English (or know English?)
• they are nice, but usually you have to approach them
• it rains A LOT
• it is VERY expensive, esp the transportation
• the cities are super clean - no littering!
• they LOVE mayo and queues (British much?)
• EVERYONE carries a bag (purse, murse, compy bag, book bag... basically anything that is a bag)
• restaurants give you wet wipes/wet towel before a meal.  awesome.
• 7/11 has really GOOD food.  no, seriously.
• Frozen is STILL in theaters!
• they follow instructions to a 'T'
• Japanese don't all look alike (like Koreans - I confused kids for awhile before I got them straight, here they all look different)
• the women speak in VERY SUPER DUPER HIGH AND SQUEAKY tones.  Not real... methinks.

I think that is it.  I like Japan, but I don't love it.  I am glad that I've done so much during my stay here, as I do not believe I will be returning. 

I must say, though, that I miss Asia.

Peace, love, & Asialove