Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Trip to Japan October 2006 |
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Day 5 - Time to Tour
Today started with the alarm going off at 6:00. Considering I arrived back to my room at 3:00 a.m., I am just a little bit tired. It's my fault but I want to do as much as possible while I'm here. Surprisingly though, I'm not exhausted or really felt like jet lag has hit. Maybe it is because of the all-nighter....I don't know but it's great!
Today started with breakfast at 7:00. I am trying out all of the breakfast restaurants in the hotel so each day is a little different. Today's buffet has another nice selection of foods with a combination of Japanese and Western foods. Here are the two different buffet lines....
 Western version |
 Japanese version |
Personally, I still have a preference for the Western side. Maybe it is because I have grown up eating it. Maybe it is because I like my food with sugar. Maybe it is because I don't like fish for breakfast. Maybe it is because I don't like fish. Just maybe.
While eating breakfast, I began to reflect and thought about what many of you have been asking in the blogs and emails. Upon further reflection, I knew that there was some place that I really had to go. I had actually been looking forward to this for quite a while! I even thought to myself..."Today, I'm going to make a point of it to go there right when I finish my food!" So, without further ado....I introduce the next topic.
Toilets....
Yep, that's right....
There seems to be some huge obsession with many of you and toilets...
I would estimate that about 78% of my emails and blog comments have asked about them. With that figure stated, it is also important to know that approximately 92.3% of all statistics are made up. Either way, I haven't been answering your questions about it because I wanted it to stir in your bowels in anticipation. I am talking about your question and not....well, you know.
So, here we go. The long awaited topic....drum roll please.....
I said "drum roll please" (you should be tapping your desk as if you were playing - come on, you know you want to!)
TOILETS
Chapter 1 - Application
1.1.1 - It is important to note that when using toilets,
it is best to remove your undergarments before sitting.
1.1.2 - The roll of white tissue next to the toilet is best when used
after the performance is over. If you choose to alter the order of
application then the results may vary.
1.1.3 - Can you tell I'm dragging this out as long as humanly possible?
:)
Okay, here are the pics...
 This is what the stalls look like in the men's room. |
 What's that beside the toilet??? |
This seems to be what everyone is interested about - the control panel! In the picture above, you'll see that there is a control panel on the left side. Here is a closer image of it.
Now, I could go into detail about what these functions DOO DOO BUTT I believe that it is pretty self-explanatory. Even though their are no directions, it's not difficult to figure out if you look carefully enough. Here's the basics of the control panel working right to left (since that is how the Japanese read)...
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Stop - Thank goodness they use the international VCR symbol.
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Spray - I won't tell you where it sprays BUT I will tell you that the water is cold.
- Bidet - Notice the difference between the spray and bidet diagrams. I didn't perform a scientific study BUTT it all pretty much felt the same.
- Water Pressure - This one is very important! Choosing the wrong setting with the knob can eventually make things difficult in the END.
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Standby - This is odd because the control panel only works while seated! Why would they want you to stand? Perhaps this also assists in brushing your teeth?
Needless to say, it is a little intimidating when you sit down. The sprayed water is heated BUTT it still is a shock to the system. Some of the fancier places even had heated toilet seats to ensure that you don't freeze your booty off.
Given the fact that my diet has taken a drastic change, hemorrhoids could be a likely side effect. If that were to have actually happened, I would END up having to go to a drug store to buy some medicine such as Preparation H. It's embarrassing enough to DOO DOO that BUTT just imagine if it looked like this...
It's all in Japanese!
You may not be able to tell, BUTT everything is written in Japanese with english written in very few places. I want to make sure that everyone understands that, for the record, this is a hypothetical situation. In no way did it happen nor did I have to go ask a Japanese cashier which one the products would cure the ailment. In no way did she have no idea what was being asked. In no way did I have to act out via charades what hemorrhoids are. In no way...
Once again, let me interrupt this journal for an important joke from Mr. Tyler. Here goes....
What do Star Trek and toilet paper have in common? Click for the answer.
Alrighty, back to the main POOP! Okay, that's the last time I'll DOO DOO that for a little while...
We met at 8:10 in the morning to begin our sightseeing in Tokyo. We boarded a chartered bus and drove by the Akasaka Rikyu and Supreme Court. We didn't get a chance to get out and see it but did manage to see it through the rain, gates, windows, and everyone else's head. Speaking of heads, here is another reason why I should stop taking pictures of myself with other people.
Once again, here's my enormous head.
We had to sit with the Soka group on the bus. That's Jennifer next to me and Jeff behind me. You'll see and hear more about them later on in my journals.
Next, we drove to the National Diet of Japan (and it is not rice - insert rimshot here)! The Diet consists of two houses - the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Each House is composed of elected members who represent the people. When we arrived, there were many school children here. Some were in uniforms while others were not. They were sitting on the floor and were very well behaved. What we have been told is that they love having their picture taken and wave and hold up the "peace" sign. Don't believe me? See for yourself...
 That's Darryl. He's very tall. |
 No peace signs yet from this group. |
Here are some pictures I illegally took in the building...
 Dining room for His Majesty the Emperor |
 Chamber of the House of Representatives |
While I said that I illegally took these pictures, let me explain. One tour guide said pictures were not allowed. Another tour guide said they were allowed. It just so happens that mine was the one who said they were not. I played the "ignorant American" card and discreetly took these without the flash when nobody was looking. Nobody caught me but I still feel badly about my decision. After all, these aren't exactly award-winning pictures. And, you probably don't care about these pictures. But, I am doing all of this for you and your education. Because of that, you should know that if I got arrested I would have certainly blamed you for getting me into that mess. After all, it is your fault that I am here...
Here are some outside shots of the Diet...(taken legally)...
 Yep, this is the Diet |
 That's Japan's flag |
 All sorts of small vehicles zipping around |
 The front of the Diet |
 I am truly an American ambassador. I don't recall making that face with the pose. |
 Where's the third member of Charlie's Angels? That's Larisa posing with me. |
If you feel sorry for me, just think about what it is like to be around me on this trip. Thankfully, I don't behave like this all of the time...
I think this journal is enough to keep you happy for a while so I'll take a break and split up this day into two, maybe three, days. I really am intending on shortening the journals but I just have so much to share. My brain is a little haywire with ideas that I want to you experience.