Oh, the funny things I see!

Here's more great things I see in and around Nagoya.

A whole new reason to pop your collar. 

This shirt has a hidden fashion message!

Yes, that's right... leggings for men, and their catchphrase is "No Leggings. No Life!!" 

Guess what all the men in my life are getting for Christmas?!  LOL 

(Dad's going to look really good in those blue camouflage ones!!  And Mike--how do you feel about pink lightning bolts?!)

I've gotten so used to squatty potties over here that I didn't know what to do when I came across this toilet.  I tried hovering but my leg muscles aren't what they used to be...

And what's with this tower of toilet paper?  Most days I'm lucky if the public bathrooms even provide TP, and this place buys it in mass quantities...

Special yellow subway train commemorating Nagoya's 400th anniversary!

Mini sandwiches from the convenience store. 

I no longer wonder why the Japanese don't like to eat sandwiches... it's because they are terrible at making them!  Let's throw one slice of meat and mayo between white bread and call it good?! 

By the way, this was Tarynn's breakfast on one of our trips.  I wouldn't buy this (or eat it for that matter)...

Japan sure does know how to ruin pizza. 

"Let's throw a bunch of seafood and green cheese on here and see if anyone notices, okay?"  Barf!

Milk cartons in Japan. 

They love to make everything cute!

Here's a trippy poster for Tokyo Disneyland. 

They should have a section called "Psychedelic Land" at the park!

I was wondering exactly what is so "Wild" and "Health" about Coca-Cola Zero, but then again this nation does consider OJ and PB to be sweets, so go figure...

Wild Health and sexy leather!  Roooaaarrr!

A truck advertising... umm, I don't know. 

Maybe swimsuits or maybe something else.  It's hard to say.

"Enjoy your lifestyle with love pets". 

Wow.  Where can I get myself a "love pet"?

Well if I had a "love pony" at least I'd know where to take him to get clean...

A message posted on the bulletin board at my apartment. 

The last line is my favorite. 

Apparently it's NOT appropriate to go "on a drunken rampage in the hallway". 

I wish someone would have told me that sooner.  It probably would have cleared up a lot of confusion!

Pepsi Twist?

Seriously, do they even sell that anymore?!  Not in this vending machine anyway... 

How old do you think this sign is?

Hahaha!!  Unmistakably "Where's Waldo" in Japanese!! 

I found this little treasure in the international library I go to.

I'd like to invite these boys over to play Wii with me!!

Seriously, look how adorable and fashionable they are!!

Wait a minute... I've started to see these same 5 boys all over advertisements. 

My best guess is they are some kind of Japanese boy band, but no one has been able to confirm or deny that for me. 

Maybe they just like to use the same 5 male models in all ads in Japan?!

Safety First!

I spend a lot of time in public restrooms in Japan. 

(No, not because I have bathroom issues, but because I travel away from home a lot...)

Here a quick review of 5 signs I've seen in the past few months.  They always bring me a good laugh!

This first one teaches mothers how to care for their child while on he is on the diaper changing table. 

I like the baby falling head first in yellow (Caution, drop!) as well as the creepy blue circle with the intense staring at the baby (Keep Watch).

Yes, I often wonder how to use a toilet.  I'm glad I didn't do that move on the bottom right... It would have been sooooo embarrassing!

"This restroom is full automatically"... Hmm, sounds like a personal problem to me...

"Please note the difference of one's feet." 

I've heard the saying "Mind your feet" so much in the past 8 months, I barely even remember that it would make more sense to say "Watch your step".

Another necessary visual.  I'm sure Mom would have loved this sign if she saw it, but then again I don't think she was brave enough to try the Asian-style toilet.  Remember... no sitting on the hood!! 

I want to know what bozo got caught doing this maneuver that required a sign to be posted in English. 

Bath time with KG

Here's a little fun to start your weekend... a blog about bathtubs in Japan!

I've been here over 3 months, and I haven't taken a bath yet! Mostly because my tub just looks weird. It's square and small and deep and doesn't look appealing to me. But I figured I better try it at least once before I judge!

First, I need to get some hot water. To get any time of hot water in my apartment it's certainly a process. I have to hold down the gas, crank the knob, count to 6, light the flame, make sure I can see the flame through this tiny window in my heater, and then finally turn on the hot water tap.

I always knew the shower head was low flow, but I never realized how long it would take to fill up a tub full of water--over 30 minutes!! My sister can vouch for that because we were on the phone together for the entire time I was preparing. I even had to bust out my "English" instruction manual from my apartment to ensure I knew what the heck I was doing. Once the water level was over the 2 "heaters" in the tub, I could switch the gas contraption to "bath mode". The heaters are basically half-dollar sized holes that I now know just crank out gas heat. The disturbing part was that I could really smell gas when "bath mode" was on. Not cool!

Next, the water is getting increasingly hotter, but I have no idea how high to fill it because I'm not an expert on the water displacement ratio for square tubs. But I know this for sure: Once I'm in that tub, I'm not getting out to hold down the gas, crank the knob, count to 6, and light the flame just to get more water.

As it turns out, I guessed pretty closely. I had about an inch and a half to spare at the top of the tub, and I don't mind slopping water everywhere since outside is technically the shower and the drain.

By this time, the water is HOT, and putting any body part in front of those "heaters" is a bad idea. I have no idea how you would give a small child a bath in here because seriously, who has 30 minutes to draw a bath for their kids?! And "Kids, don't go on this side of the tub, or you may burn your hand off!"

Soon enough, I turned off "bath mode", and just let the water cool down. In Japan the tradition is to wash yourself and then you get in the tub to soak and relax. I must say I wasn't feeling very relaxed though. I was folded into a little ball!

Here's a picture of Kerri folded in the tub! You can see it's getting pretty steamy in there from the hot water! Also, being so close to the window is kinda creepy. People can walk by right outside. Sure, it's "frosted" glass, but still creepy!

If there was a sport for "Bathtub Pretzel Olympics", I would surely be a gold medalist!!

At the bottom left of this picture, you can see the knob I have to crank, and the tiny window I look through to see if the flame is lit.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot... as the water was draining, guess what also came out from under the bathtub?! A child's yellow and blue bath toy!! No joke... Apparently small children do take baths in these things! I also learned that my bathroom drain works just fine for low flow showers, but doesn't really like that sudden rush of bath water!! As fun as this blog post was, I still think it might be my last bath for awhile!!

Toilets!!

Sorry to anyone who receives this one twice. My blog had a little attitude problem, but I think I have it all straightened out!

Ahh, the long-awaited blog about toilets!! I've had several requests, and it's finally time to share!

First a pic of the toilets at Mitsui. This thing has all of the bells and whistles, and I simply love it!! Features include: heated seat, gurgling sound, fake flushing noise, bidet, shower, and automatic flusher!

Here's the control that's on the wall. In some offices (or hotels), this thing is attached to the side of the toilet. I've tested all of the buttons. From the left... red square = stop, spray thing = shower, spray thing w/person = bidet, air waves = blow dry. Then of course, the big round knob is to adjust the pressure of any of these features. The first time I tried out a toilet like this was in a hotel, and I was standing next to the toilet. Water started shooting every where!! And I didn't know how to stop it yet!! So now I've tried out all of the features in the sitting position, too!!!

Here's another controller you can put your hand in front of if you desire a little more privacy and some louder gurgling noises. Plus, push the button for a flushing sound!! Here's the first Asian-style "squatter" toilet I experienced on the 2nd day in Tokyo. As you can see the top has a small "hood" and that is the side you part you face. It helps prevent peeing on yourself. I took a pic while it was flushing so you can see the water running through it from back to front.

Here is the special "VIP restroom" I was escorted to at the Transystem Office in India. Many of the locations in India didn't even have women's restrooms (since none worked there) so I was thankful to find a toilet at all!

Curiosity got me, so I had to go find the other women's restroom and take a pic of what I was upgraded from...

Here's a repeat. This is the toilet at my apartment. No heated seat or fancy gurgling noises! but I do have that faucet on top that automatically runs when you flush it. You're supposed to wash your hands immediately, but I don't like the cold water, lack of soap, and splashing water everywhere!

Uhhh, yeah... I walked in this bathroom (in a Nagoya subway station) and walked right back out to check the sign to make sure it was Women. The toilet is on the right, it's out in the open behind no door, and I have no idea how you would use it. Maybe it's okay if you are wearing a skirt or a dress with no tights, but otherwise... seriously?! The item on the left is the sink. No soap, no warm water, and no way to dry your hands. (This is very common in subway stations or other public restrooms.) I now carry a handkerchief to dry my hands on and also some antibacterial wet wipes in case there's no soap. (FYI - the hankie is also handy at restaurants because many places don't have napkins. They give you a warm, wet towelette to clean up with prior to the meal, but nothing for your lap or to wipe your face.)

Here's an Asian toilet that I've mastered. The handle bar is super helpful for balancing. Just as I've gotten used to the squatter toilets (they're really not as bad as you would expect), I've also realized that the last stall in the bathroom usually is handicapped and has a Western-style toilet. As long as there is no line or other people waiting, I will (of course) go for the Western toilet!!

India: Chennai continued

A new day is here, and this is the view from my Chennai hotel suite. I was on the 7th floor. It's going to be a very hazy and humid day. After I opened the curtains this morning, I realized I also had a private patio. The door is on the right side.

Not something I would actually want to hang out on since it was quite dirty with pigeon dropping and even trash! Also, the heat & humidity in Chennai is killer for November!! I did step out for a weather check, but quickly came back in to the A/C.

The miles long deserted beach on the Bay of Bengal. We went to the port to see containers loading & unloading, but there was a strict "no photos" policy. The men walking around with rifles were pretty convincing. I decided not to take any chances. I don't want to end up in India prison or an Indian hospital!

My lunch at the dismal Chennai airport. No shops. No restaurants. Only a snack bar. But this chip flavor "Cajun beats" is pretty unique and, in Indian style, pretty spicy!!

Here's the airport. Not part of it. The whole thing. No jetway boarding. Everyone takes a bus out to the runway and then walks up the stairs.

Chennai Airport runway. The red & white building on the left is air traffic control. I see there is a jetway on the right, but do not be fooled. No planes come up close enough to the building.

Also of note is airport security in Japan, China, & India. No one is quite as hyper as America. You can bring liquids (although the sign says not to), you can wear your shoes (even my steel toes), and India doesn't metal detect women. We go behind a screen and get patted down.

Another posh hotel room in New Delhi... Mini bar on the left, bathroom on the right.

Another big bed, which I'm thankfully for. Tomorrow night we're taking the red-eye back to Japan, so sleep will be sketchy.

Hotel bathroom. I haven't featured all of the toilets I came across in India yet on my blog, but let me assure you it's not a pretty sight. I do appreciate a clean Western toilet much more now.

Here's a pic of me on the way to India. I was so excited to see English TV again. It didn't matter that it was in the children's section at Hong Kong or Pink Panther!!

Here's a few extra tidbits on India I've been taking notes on:

I said there were no traffic laws, but I don't think I mentioned that when traffic is stopped on one side of the road, cars occasionally flood the other side of the road, and start going into oncoming traffic. It's like a death wish!! I'm told that India follows the U.S. closely in the number of automobile fatalities. It's pretty crazy since India's speed limit is 40kph, but now that I've seen it I'm not surprised!

The hotels here remind of vacation resorts in Mexico. The workers are all so friendly and happy and willing to help while speaking in their accented English. There are usually multiple amenities, too, like a pool, spa, restaurants, shopping, etc.

Most buses were colorfully painted and often with religious sayings on them. Many even had streamers, ribbons, tassels, and ornaments strung up inside.

All women (even babies) have their ears pierced. Gold jewelry is very popular. Most men even had at least one gold ring on.

No smoking is allowed in any restaurant in India. That's a nice change from Japan, where smoking is not allowed on streets or sidewalks, but please light it up all you want inside of buildings... Yuck!!

OMG Bugs are crazy here!! I noticed they were crawling on others while at the Transystem yard, and then upon inspection, I realized they were all over me, too. Ants on your shoes and in your socks. Spiders on your legs, and many other weird creepy crawlies. Sometimes I would make a big fuss and start brushing them off, and people just laughed at me. (Probably thinking "Silly girl!") In addition, flies are every where. Crawling all over your food in restaurants. Buzzing around your head even in airplanes. It was so bothersome. Again, I was the only one who seems to mind.

There are a few American food places here that people were eager to point out. McDonald's, which I've already mentioned. Also, Domino's Pizza, KFC, and Pizza Hut. Their menus are, of course, modified and are generally only vegetarian options (even KFC, I'm told!!) I also saw a "Kentacky Chicken Corner" from the car one day. The spelling cracked me up, but I'm sure it is a wannabe KFC.

Even in the poorest conditions, I saw many people on cell phones, which I really found ironic. But then I started reading the billboards, and perhaps it's because cell phones are so cheap. Service providers often charge calls by the second, and the texts are charged per character. LOL.

We had lunch at a golf club one day, and I saw another course in Bangalore. There are no golf carts in India, but no worries because you will get a uniformed caddy (super cheap) at your service! I hear the actual greens fees are not too expensive, either. (Although this was from the Japanese guys, and they may be poor judges since the price of golf is astronomical there.)

One very ingenious thing was that most public buses had small gutters on them. This is so during the rainy season, the windows can stay open and very little water gets in. Most of it drains down the front or back of the bus.

Inidia: Chennai

My adventure in India continues! On to Chennai, which is a port city 300 km away from Bangalore. We choose to take the 40 minute flight, but other Mitsui folks decided to drive to check the road conditions. It took them over 6 hours. YIKES!! That's what a 40km speed limit among other things will do to you! Here is the open-air airport in Bangalore. The 2nd nicest airport in India I'm told (partly because it's only a few years old). The killer part for me was the birds (mostly sparrows) flying every where. They were on restaurant tables eating leftovers, roaming around the seats at the gate. No one seemed to mind, except me of course!! Shopping was awesome. They have such cool foreign things, and it's all dirt cheap. I only bought one thing, but maybe I will find some luggage space when I fly out for good on Friday!

Here's a back-side pic of all of the hired drivers waiting for their passengers with signs. No one is allowed in the baggage claim area, which makes it relatively safe. In general, only the affluent can afford to fly. A little girl (probably 7) in the airport restroom came up to me and asked "Where do you come from?" I told her America. She repeated it and giggled. Then all of the other women giggled. I have no one idea if they were laughing at her or me. Regardless, they don't see a lot of Americans here, and certainly fewer females. I really get stared at non-stop.

Welcome to Chennai! Were the weather is mid-80's, super humid, and rainy!! This is also the part where the hoodlums come out. When walking to the car with our driver, some man tried to "help" me with my luggage. I told him no, and he kept saying "same company". Sure thing, buddy! Then after our luggage was loaded (and I watched) the same man helped me into the car. He wanted a tip. Uhhh.... get lost!

Traffic jam. You can see all of the water lying around. Not surprisingly their drainage system sucks here, but then again that would happen in every city if they had downpours like Chennai, too. Funny to see 100's of motorcycles abandoned on the road though, as their owners huddled under trees, awnings, whatever they could find.

I think there are some people living under the highway overpass. But they have a couple cars!! Chennai looks about 10 times poorer than Bangalore. Shocking to say the least!

Here's our ride all week. It's a Toyota Innova made in India. It's a 7-seater car. Nothing like my Clifford (the big red Buick Enclave), but still pretty spacious in these parts.

Cows are not just sacred... they are useful to haul things around in the city!

Motorcyclists waiting in traffic. (This is after the rain.)

Another pic of the poor conditions. Nice cow lying about and water every where. Here's the traumatizing part: Even through tinted windows, I was busted by the locals for taking a pic. This woman came up to the car window and started tapping incessantly. She was begging for 5 rupees and had her newborn baby with her. It was horrifying and depressing all at the same time! After I ignored her, she moved around to other doors, tapping and asking for money. This went on for a good 3 minutes since we were at a dead stop in traffic. Probably the longest 3 minutes of my life. Thank goodness her baby was sleeping. If it had been crying or otherwise looking miserable, I probably would have lost it! This was a rude awakening for me. I realize these people are just trying to survive, and yet I find it so darn picture-worthy. Needless to say, I didn't take any more pictures of the locals or their surroundings today.

My hotel room in Chennai. It's a suite, and bigger than my entire apartment in Japan.

Sitting room with a huge touch screen remote for all of the gadgets in the room.

Generally, I'd be impressed and loving this room, but given the day I've had, I wonder if it's a bit over the top. And perhaps they should take a look outside, and see the disparity between the social classes here in India.

Hallway into the bathroom.

Next stop: Soak in the tub, then off to bed. Another full day ahead. Tomorrow we go to the Port to see overseas containers being loaded/unloaded, and then catch a plane to the capital city of New Delhi.

One more nugget before I sign off: when we enter a hotel, they check the undercarriage of the vehicle for bombs, pop the truck and scan the bags, and then we have to go through a metal detector before we enter. I'm told there's been some bombing issues in Mumbai, and now people aren't messing around.