It’s been awhile since my last post here due to the fact that I was visiting Japan for obvious reasons. So what did I miss? During my 30 day stay in far east; former US president Gerald Ford bit the dust at age 90 something, and of coarse Saddam Hussein finally got hung. What else is new?
Being this was my first time is Japan I was indeed shocked at what little petty theft occurs there. Bicycles and motorbikes being as popular as they are, NO ONE LOCKS THEM! Ok, very few lock the front tire, but I didn’t see any bikes locked to racks or fences in Tokyo and Kyoto. Furthermore people freely leave their unattended bags at outdoor coffee shops while going to other shops across the street. What a country!
The public transportation system is far more superior to most American transit systems, and slightly better than LA and NYC’s bus and subway systems. However, you pay after you reach your destination rather than before. If that was the case in major US cities, there would be so many scumbags trying smooth talk their way to a free ride. (I didn’t see that happen once in Japan).
Japan’s infrastructure is always well kept. There aren’t many cracked roads. Graffiti is very uncommon unless it is artwork impersonating the US, usually at teen hangouts and clothing stores. The water is clean and taste great directly from the tap. Poverty is very rare. I saw no signs pan handling, but a few fortune tellers and monks asking for a fee. Homelessness does exist, but not as visible as it is in the US.
If you plan to live and work in Japan and you’re not Japanese, it’s not that easy. If you’re not Japanese you are viewed as “gaijin” AKA foreigner. Still, I did see a few English teachers, possibly with visas teaching English at coffee shops. I suppose it isn’t totally impossible if your spouse is Japanese. In Tokyo I saw a Turkish man running a Turkish restaurant, but all the Italian, Spanish and Chinese restaurants were always operated by Japanese people. Foreign natives were not very common.
Japan is slightly more expensive than the US. The smallest paper bill is roughly equivalent to $10.00 (1000 yen). If you go to Japan be sure to bring a coin holder because there are 100 and 500 yen coins. Being careless with US quarters is one thing, but losing a 500 yen coin is like losing a 5 dollar bill. Even losing a 100 yen coin is like losing a buck. Aside from that, one nice convenience in Japan is there is no tipping.
All in all, Japan is a very nice country. I would advise every major US politician to stay in Japan for 2 weeks. Then they would truly realize what a lousy job they are doing in the US. No more said!
Posted on a Tuesday as Topics at 9:33 PM MST ( 1 year, 9 months ago )
