Pix, Bars, and Cellulars
Cellphones
Boss, as I already said, but no seriously, the camera on the phone itself has different color settings, you can change the ISO kind of, you can take action shots, change the speed… I swear, I really really want to use this phone in the US. I do not understand why American cellies don’t have these features on basic models. They do video as well, and the quality is not bad. Not bad at all. Did I mention it has a unit and currency converter??
Poverty
Haven’t seen one homeless person here. Usually in metros/stations you see them (in America) but not here. Nope. There’s probably no space for them anyway, because the stations and trains themselves get so crowded sometimes there’s hardly any room to sneeze comfortably. But if you’re smart like about 1/3 of the population here, you’ll already be wearing a mask over your mouth and nose and it’s totally normal and completely sanitary and no one bats an eye.
Communication Problems
It is really frustrating being unable to communicate more than a small child here. Yes I can talk with people and ask them questions and describe my days and plans and studies, but discussions much more complex than that are a nightmare. It’s frustrating, depressing, and just scary. I pick up products and have no idea what they are. I hear things and decipher a few words and grammar. I am ridiculously excited to start classes tomorrow.
American Photo-Op
Went to a bar, and like almost every store here – which are individual stores, not chains, although they exist too – it was tiny and cute and got crowded fast. Stores and malls are heaped on top of each other or squeezed and it’s amazing how many stores they can fit in one area, but they don’t have the American mindset. One bar we wandered in to was about the size of a living room and had flashing lights and loud dance music. It was a pretty swanky place for its size. But many stores here have enough room for you to walk in a door and about a foot - yeah a foot - ahead of you is a counter where you drop off or buy your goods. That’s it. Normal.
Anyway, at this bar, my friends and I found that the Japanese are much more social in these settings, when alcohol is involved. Most cafes and restaurants are pretty silent, and trains are traditionally quiet as well. My friends and I took a half consumed drink and went around to other tables, yelling KANPAI, which is ‘Toast!” or the equivalent, and they would try their English out on us and drink and offer us drinks and of course, ask to get photos with us.
Seriously. They wanted pictures with us.
I don’t know these people.
But we did anyway and they loved it. They are super excited all the time about pictures. If Facebook’s servers ever crash, I’ll put my money on it having been Japan and their absurd picture taking and uploading.
Japanese Sanitation
Masks everywhere, in food places, even regular conbini and goods services. Very clean.
And if I hear, “Irrasyaimase!!” again I’ll shoot myself. They not only say “Welcome” at the entrances to stores/by their kiosks/ etc but WHILE YOU’RE SHOPPING TOO. I was in an aisle where I got rounded by a worker and told, “Irrasyaimaseee!!” then left that aisle only to find another worker who told me the same thing. Over and over again. Aye aye aye.
Electronics
Not that much different in price than over here.
Have yet to find cheap clothes in the price range of American Eagle. Individually owned shops are really expensive and I haven’t yet identified any mid-level chains. Then again, I have a hard time spending more than $20 on an item. Sometimes.
