Category: Old Things That Are New to Me

1. Coffee Jelly Frappuccino. This little delight comes from none other than our friendly neighborhood Starbucks. Apparently in some parts of the world, people like to suck coffee-flavored gelatinous texture through their straw. Oishii desu... ka? Actually it wasn't that bad, though I am quite confident that it will not replace the Latte in world popularity any time soon.

2. Fast Food That Doesn't Make My Stomach Sad. Box lunch available outside Kabuki-za. I love this box lunch thing they have here! All the food is so fresh; no preservatives; just the right amount. Oishii desu. Definitely.

3. Polite People Following Rules and Self-Regulating. Imagine that--self-regulating. Now, I have to assume my primary reader is American, so I feel I should explain what "self-regulation" is: Public areas, including public transportation, well used but super clean! Streets with a million bodies/vehicles all going different directions but merging and coexisting with ease. Natural, orderly lines where appropriate. You know, basically, taking responsibility for yourself. Novel, I know. According to Brian, I should have been born in Japan. I have to say, I do find it to be a comfortable place to exist (obvious communication boundaries aside).

4. Kabuki-za! Standing room only for us, still worth it! The Kabuki we caught was called Kaijin Besso (The Sea God's Villa) and included beautiful staging and dress. Unfortunately, as we do not (yet) speak Japanese, we required an "earphone-guide" which basically told us in English what was going on, but even still, it was great! If you are planning on visiting us and want to go to Kabuki-za, you will need to visit us before May 2010, when, from what I understand, they will tear down the old building and rebuild another Kabuki-za in its place.