Back to back dinners

Back from a week in Japan! It was a fun, quirky, expensive experience. While it might have been better if we had spent the weekend in Tokyo instead of at the World Expo, it was definitely a fun trip, and the first time I had travelled together with H in a place that wasn't Singapore or North America.

The World Expo itself was fun, even though we had only one day there. Got to see most of the country displays, and some of the commercial sites, which were actually much lamer than the country sites. The anime mascots were cute... Kiccoro and Morizo. We then spent tons of time just walking around Tokyo and getting a feel for the city.

Things that stick out in my mind from the trip :

a) The HUGE plethora of vending machines. Hot canned drinks... who would've thunk it? And a vending machine selling bouquets of flowers...

b) The absolute lack of trash cans everywhere except next to convenience stores and vending machines. Since it is not considered polite to eat and drink at the same time

c) Toilets with warmed seats, machines that clean and dry you after your business is done... you get the idea

d) The punctuality of the train systems

e) Cool Japanese technology that sounds great but works bad

f) Pachinko parlours that stink of cheap cigarettes and sweat

g) Good food. The wide variety of convenience store stuff, Kaiseiki (a ritual Japanese meal), tempura, GREEN TEA ICECREAM! (and everything else green tea), and tiramisu flavored with soya powder... yum

h) Swing dancing in a reggae bar

i) The sheer number of people all crammed into one city. Scary

j) And finally, the amazingly efficient inefficiency that pervades the city. Everyone is on time and works hard, but sometimes, you might have 8 people to greet you on the way to your hotel room! One to hold open the door, one to greet you at the door, one to say hi at the hotel room, one to hold open the lift.... you get the idea

On a separate note, this coming Wednesday is the one-year anniversary. That's right. Can't believe it's been a year since the ceremony in Vancouver. Going out for seven years and long distance for five. Time sure passes fast, and yet not fast enough, especially when you would like to spend the rest of your life with someone right away right now! :)

And finally, an answer to a brain teaser from a previous blog. Eun was close in her answer. According to my boss, Swedish were originally not very well off in the past and could not afford to go on many holidays. So instead, they spent their summers and savings re-decorating their homes, ie. giving money to Ikea! However, as Swedish got wealthier, they ended up spending this same time and money on holidays instead. That's why travel agents compete with Ikea....

Alrite, off to bed now. Good night!