Japan: linguistics

" Verb: 触ります (sawarimasu) - to touch (a door) "

So the textbook says. Some of you might be familiar with it. To 'touch' a door? I had always assumed this meant perhaps to 'knock at' a door. On my arrival in Tokyo, however, I realised it meant exactly to 'touch' a door. In Japan you open most sliding doors by touching a sensitive electronic pad.

Mystery solved.

(Though a lot about Japan still remains unanswered!)

Japan - (Ordering) Nosh of the Day: ramen

Another teaser for gaijin! (Gaijin = non-Japanese people.) Again, a very sensible and practical idea for a busy city. Before you enter the ramen shop, you order and pay for your desired meal with this machine outside. Then the chefs take your order and process it. Cuts down on time and people queuing up in an already buzzing restaurant. Thankfully I was with my friend Mariko, or would probably have flounced into the shop expecting service!

And the nosh: a huge, delicious bowl of ramen noodles with veggies and pork :)

Japan: Masks, Shibuya, Tokyo

Yes, a lot of Japanese wear face-masks in public. This is handy for megastars in disguise. But on the whole, the masks are worn by people who have colds etc - to protect others from their germs. The Western view of neurotic, masked Asians scared of catching bugs is not true. Masks are a mark of considerateness. And something that could be quite helpful on the London Underground I feel!

(Click on pix for a closer view.)

Japan arrival: fine fettle kettle

One long day. Up at 5am to fly from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (then immigrate for four hours, turn around, emmigrate) and get eight hour ride to Tokyo...

My plane arrived at Haneda kuukou very late at night, and I had been advised to book a hotel in the airport, as Tokyo public transport does not operate after midnight. (No vomitous nightbus for them!) I had flown no-frills and by this time was dying for a snack, nice cup of tea...

Hotel room was great: super modern, ultra clean, all details carefully considered*.

And then there was this. I knew it was a type of kettle, but what should I do with it? All instructions were written in Japanese Kanji. I pressed every button, twisted every lever ...no response, and nothing that I could recognise. After about ten minutes of grappling and puzzling, the lid finally popped up! It was indeed a kettle, but one that heats and stores water, which you then can dispense (as if from an office coffee machine) during your stay. (Honestly, never seen one of these in the UK!)

Finally - fridge raided for peanuts, hot cup of o-cha.. and Ghost Whisperer mysteriously dubbed into Japanese on TV ** :)

In many ways this experience encapsulated my brief findings in Japan. Things are different, and actually often better, more advanced than what I know. But there is a lot of puzzling to be done before making anything work! And fluent knowledge of Japanese Kanji would be mighty helpful..

* All amenities, computerised loo with heated seat, even a heated portion on the bathroom mirror, so an area wouldn't steam up after showering and one can still do one's face.

** This TV viewing was quite good fun, but for some reason one wimpy looking guy had been given a huge, manly, booming voiceover in Japanese. (Bit of a giggle if you've watched the original, and I'm sure he'd be amused at such an honour!)

Back soon!

Apologies Geezers, I am touring around Asia having both bizarre and pleasant new adventures - but with limited internet access (let alone photo upload ability!) I will be back with some fab new stories soon..... :)

Thanks for your patience.

Singapore: shaving in heaven

Many Chinese believe that you can make your loved-ones' time in heaven more agreeable by burning paper offerings of things they might like. For example: a new car, beauty products or a Louis Vuitton purse. In Singapore you will find many stores selling all these (sometimes beautifully crafted) paper items for the dead.

I will definitely be requesting martial arts kit and English-style donuts when I go!

 

Malled to death

Asia is famous for its love of shopping malls. And Singapore must be up there with the greatest*. With humid heat and heavy rains, it makes good sense to shop in an air-conditioned, indoor environment.

But don’t be fooled into thinking malls are convenient! The malls here are often HUGE, and linked seamlessly – yet confusingly – into several other malls. You will frankly need a compass, map, Ray Mears and a band of well-trained huskies to navigate from many a Starbucks to Starhub. Older and more ‘local’ style malls can entail labyrinthine miles of tiny concessions and Chinese characters, making even finding an exit tricky for the unsuspecting gweilo.

Overall: note landmark stores, wear trainers and expect a lot of walking.

* I am about to go to Tokyo, let’s see what that is like!

(Apologies again for daft picture layout.)

Ngee Ann City

Raffles City?

ION Orchard

Paragon

 

Capita Mall?

VivoCity