a few fun observations

I arrived safely in Tokyo! I can't stop smiling. Everything around me is fascinating and interesting, most especially the fashion. It's a good feeling. I'll post pictures soon, but for now some fun observations:

1. On the train I took from Narita airport to Tokyo city to meet Yoriko I was able to sit in a smoking car! I felt like I was in the 50's with my suitcase and sunglasses, staring out the window and puffing away.

2. The public restroom in the airport had a bidet function. That made me feel like I was zapped to the future in the 2050's or something. What a clean and developed culture! I must admit, I was afraid to use a public one. I'll probably try Yoriko's though.

3. Speaking of toilets, Yoriko's toilet seat is heated. That makes me want to get up in the middle of the night to go pee.

4. The safety signs in the subway that say things like 'watch your step' or 'yield these seat to the elderly' are illustrated with Hello Kitty's face. Just for fun!

5. I bought a snack at the 7-11 while I was waiting to meet Yoriko: salad with seaweed, ginger dressing, and octopus on top. It was really good.

6. I'm sitting at Yoriko's 'heated' coffee table in her living room right now. The table has a sort of bed skirt that keeps in the heat and there's a remote that I can use to adjust the temperature. It's pretty amazing. My friend Yoriko is just visiting Tokyo now. She has lived in Philly with her husband for three years. She said that when she first arrived in America she couldn't beleive there were no heated tables!

7. Last night Yoriko drew me a bath and while we were sitting in the living room waiting for it to fill a robot lady voice on the intercom announced that the bath was full. The water turned off automatically. How amazing is that? I've learned the Japanese always shower before they get in the bath so they aren't bathing in their own filth. It's a good idea. So I showered in a spot right next to the hot tub and then I got in. I am convinced that besides a mother's love, hot tubs are the most nurturing thing possible for human beings.


Pictures soon!