Japanization

So, originally this blog was intended to be written next week, but there's so much to tell! For instance, did you know that Japan is a whole different country? Yeah. I know. Shocker.

Here are some ways that you can tell that you are in a different country:

1. If there is a parking garage in your hotel that cars are driven into and then stowed vertically, and when they are released to be driven away, they are turned toward the street by a wheel in the floor.

2. If your toilet is also a bidet.

3. If the faucet for the sink is also the faucet for the shower.

4. If the lights and air conditioning in your hotel room don't turn on until you place your room key in a slot in the wall.

5. If the graffiti on the bathroom stall is written in hiragana. (Japanese characters)

6. If cars are driven on the other side of the road, AND the other side of the car.

7. If the figure in the 'walk' sign is wearing a hat.

8. If beer and cigarettes are sold in vending machines on the sidewalk.

9. If you don't understand anything ANYONE is saying!

10. If you feel like you are indecently dressed in a tank top.

No matter how much you prepare for a different culture, there will still be big adjustments to make. It's no secret that we took a big risk coming here. Information was slow, and when we got it, not much of it came. It was at times frustrating. However, the company has more than made up for it in the two days that training was given. They prepared us for (it seems) every possible situation both at work and in our daily lives in Japan. Which is kind of overwhelming, but we should now be ready for anything! Neither one of us has ever had to think so much about everything we are doing while we're out in public. It seems very easy to offend someone accidentally, if you're a foreigner. It might take you a while, however, to figure out that you offended somebody, because in this culture, nothing is said directly (as not to offend the other person).

Some highlights of the things we've learned:

Greetings are very important in Japan. We learned the exact order (and phrase we should use) to greet teachers at the beginning of the day (in order of importance) and at the end of the day.

Recycling is very important. If you don't do it correctly, the old lady next door may go through your trash, properly recycle your items, find your name on a piece of your trash, and complain to the neighborhood bureau, who will complain to your company, who will then call and tell you to recycle your belongings the correct way.

Pointing is rude. We keep reminding each other not to do it - try it, it's hard, you do it all the time!

Unfortunately, America has come (somewhat) to Japan. Our hotel provides us free breakfast at the Denny's next door. Yes, it's not exactly the same, but come on! There's also McDonald's and Starbucks everywhere, and 7-Elevens and Holiday Inns are also frequently seen. Here's Jon trying out the Japanese cuisine.

Well, so far, everything is going well. Today we were busy being tourists of the Mito area and visited an outdoor sculpture garden. Of course, we took the train the wrong way for one stop, but we are learning more and more every day! We have one more day here in Mito, and then it's off to Ashikaga where we interview with the Board of Education and move into our apartment. Soon we will apply for our alien registration cards and get cell phones, yea! The word is that you can get a plan for $10 a month, niiice.

We hope that everyone is doing well. Kisses and hugs from the Far East!