Quicky: if I’m not mistaken, the green light of traffic lights, is called blue. So, on a blue light, you get to go. In schematics this light will occasionally be blue colored. Otherwise, for practical purposes (I imagine), the actual color is green.
Quicky: the government probably doesn’t want people sitting around anywhere because you will hardly ever stumble across a bench where you can sit and catch your breath.
Or I forget, Japanese (and other Asian people) simply squat and therefore have no need for benches.
Quicky: as it turns out museums are closed on Mondays. Great, because today is a Tuesday. Except that museums are open on Mondays, if that’s a national holiday. In that case, museums are closed on Tuesdays. Booh!
Quicky: you know how warm and unpleasant a subway station can be, right? You’d be glad to enter the train, where there’s airconditioning.
Over here at Fujigaoka station, the entire station is under climate control. Frickin nice!
Also, at this station, bird sound effects are played in the background.
Bonus: just now, in the train, someone came by, cleaning. She was wearing a uniform and looking very sharp. Well done, Japan, well done.
Another bonus: I just heard that this is a fully automated train. I suspect there is no driver.
Oishii desu!
Monday 3rd November – Culture Day
Today was a national holiday in Japan: Culture Day. The only thing that I really noticed about today was that public transportation was following the holiday schedule I’m embarrassed to admit.
Quicky: get used to the fact that many times prices are displayed in both “without taxes” and “with taxes”.
Also: sometimes prices are displayed in “without taxes” only. That will usually be indicated.
Quicky: when you go to a restaurant, the first thing that you get is not a plate with chopsticks, but a small warm towel, usually rolled up, possibly in plastic. You use it to freshen up. Women usually don’t, for obvious reasons.
Btw, chopsticks are not dispensed but rather available in a box on the table.
Quicky: although (to me) a Nihon no takushi (Japanese taxi) looks rather old fashioned, I can assure you that it is in fact not.
It even has doors that open and close by themselves. Do not attempt to operate them manually.
Also, for some reason the mirrors are not placed where the bonnet and front window meet, but rather half way up the bonnet.
Quicky: this afternoon I wanted to take a train ride to Sakou eki (station) but I couldn’t figure out which platform to enter at the eki. And I definitely was showing it with my confused look and fondling of my keitei denwa (mobile phone).
And what do some Japanese who are confident enough in their English language skills? They help out the poor gaijin (foreigner). xD
Quicky: when I went out again this afternoon, I very optimistically put on my shorts. It’s been rather cold. :-/ No sunshine anymore. ¬.¬
Quicky: I’m learning Japanese. This means entrance:
And this means exit:
Can you spot the character (kanji) for “gate” (or passage)?
Quicky: during my trip, I have occasionally stumbled upon neko (cats). Not any seemed to be interested in receiving attention from me. Just now, I met the first. Cute neko!
Not 10 seconds later I saw a skunk fleeing from sight.
Nice kōen (park), over here at Nagoya jō (castle). *g
Quicky: today is a very lovely day with nice and sunny weather. This made the Shinkansen trip from Kyoto to Nagoya very memorable. And I have pictures to prove it. (yes, they too will follow)
Quicky: I took the basu (bus) to Kyoto eki (station) this morning. Kyoto eki was the terminal for that particular line. When arriving at Kyoto eki, a very very sad organ music was played in the basu. Yes, the basu was also very sad to see me leave.
Quicky: something funky I noticed, after I got to Kyoto by a limited express train.. After getting off, the seats where switched/reversed. That is, the upright part (where you rest your back into), switches position so that one can now sit in the seat, facing the other direction.
Not really sure why that is..
Quicky: no reception for my pocket WiFi when in the clear and at top speed. Yikes!
Quicky: no, not the operating system. I’m talking about having a window seat for the duration of the entire ride from Kyoto to Nagoya. Booyah!
Sunday 2nd November
I already mentioned it: there be raaaains here in Kyoto. At least this morning so much so that I decided to stay in and read my non-galactic travel guide on the subject of Nagoya. Preparations about my next stay, I makes them.
Read more
Quicky: it’s official, this country is too small for me. Or rather, I’m too big for this country. Or for certain rooms anyways…
Quicky: although, like back home, mirrors are used in some unclear situations in traffic, the Japanese have almost made an art out of placing them in strategic positions.
Quicky: it’s not obligatory to have a red tail light. Having a white front light and a red reflector at the back is enough. But, but, but…?
Quicky: my ultra deluxe compact photo camera (which is taking lots and lots of very nice pictures — they will follow) seems to be running Windows 95 or Vista because it crashes and freezes multiple times per day. Otherwise, I am so very happy with it. <3
Quicky: you can always tell at what operator’s station (train, subway, or otherwise) you are because each operator will play different sounds and tunes at for example entrances, platforms and moments of arrival.
Quicky: when spontaneously visiting a restaurant, be prepared to have a need for a “reserve” (that is, a reservation) or look for foodstuffs elsewhere. This looking elsewhere can take lots of time, mind you.
Quicky: traffic lights blink yellow where I come from, to indicate that they’re out of commission for the moment. They may blink red in Japan. Be careful.
Quicky: you don’t bring your wet umbrella into a store, that’s just impolite what with the floor getting wet from your dripping umbrella. Instead you are offered some kind of condom to stick it into (or so I’ve heard) or are required to leave your umbrella at the door in a designated holder.
Quicky: you are easily underdressed in Japan. Many folks, even in the simplest of jobs (no offense!), will wear a uniform. Yesh, that does impress, I must admit.
Quicky: as said, many things make noise. For example, (some) trucks turning left or right will have a recorded female voice playing, warning it’s surroundings of this fact.
Also: while there is very little green (nature) to be seen (except in kōen, parks), crickets are heard everywhere. Even in rogue flower pots or in front of the central station.
Quicky: no matter where in the world you are, to kids the black “stripes” in zebra crossings are lava.