Back in the developed world...

see all photos »

Are we still in Asia? Japan feels like a whole other place from the stilt villages, questionable transportation, and alley eateries that we have been frequenting for the past three months. Organized, clean, and effecient, Japan is my kind of place. True, it lacks the character of a hill tribe in Vietnam and the excitement of weaving through traffic in a tuk tuk but at least the emotion of pity and desparation isn't always tugging at my heartstrings.

In our first few days here we have sampled all sorts of Japanese exeriences. High on the list was a stay with a family in Fukuoka for a couple days. They fed us delicious Japanese meals and offered great conversation while their children provided the entertainment. We also stayed in a ryokan which is a traditional Japanese inn -- tatami mats, futons, low table, and a mama-san charading the rules of the house. The capsule hotel was by far the wackiest bedding. We found one that took both men and women (separately of course)with full bath facilities (individual bathing station, hot tub, sauna). You literally sleep in a capsule in a room with rows and columns of other customers. Each capsule was the size of a single bed with room to sit up and had its own TV, radio, and alarm. I felt like I was drafted for Star Trek.

The food has been the biggest treat yet. Tempura, noodle soups, unagi, bento boxes, and, of course, sushi. Jim reverts to a kid in a candy store when confronted with all the choices. He can hardly contain himself. If it wasn't five times more expensive than what we have become accustomed to paying, we would eat ten times a day.