Just a small town boy, living in a BIG world!

Japan can be tricksy and false, at times.

You see, a lot of times, you'll see something that you think is the same as back home. A 7/11, for example. Lots of 7/11s in Japan, and they do indeed offer the same style of horrible tasting snacks and whatnot, but here's the catch: in Japan, it is a 7/11 and Holdings. Yes, through what was undoubtedly an error in translation, the 7/11s of Japan also act as a bank. I'm still not sure how this works, exactly, but that is a perfect example of how you see something and think "oh, that's familiar", and then WHAM. Culture Shock, welcome to Japan.

In reality, though, the "culture shock" has been almost completely nonexistant. I've heard from others who spent a few years living abroad that the true culture shock happens when you return home. We'll see.

Until last night, I assumed that I worked "down town". Until last night, I thought I had a vague notion of the size and scope of the city that I live in, or even what a "big city" is like. Last night, one of my friends was going to pick up another friend who just arrived in Osaka. They are both going to South Korea for a shopping trip, and have been best friends since high school. The friend offered for me to join her for the drive to the train station, and I accepted.

First of all, driving in Osaka is just like driving in New York City; something that I doubt I will ever have the courage to do. It is pure crazy. Secondly, it was a totally unique experience to get on the driver's side, front seat, and not have a steering wheel. Such a fun point of view, and yet something so simple. I was getting freaked out at first; my brain unable to cope with the idea of driving on the opposite side of the street, I kept wanting to scream and grab the wheel and put things right.

So after my mind adjusted to the opposite of what I've known since I was 15 years old, I began to really enjoy myself. The sights of the city are amazing, so much more so from a car than the trains and sidewalks. It is just, really, I can't put it into words, but the city is HUGE. There is simply no way I will ever experience even a tenth of the things to do, places to see, etc... It just amazes me, to see what humans have built. The sheer enormity of it all was quite the experience, and I realize that what I thought of as "down town" is really nothing compared to the real deal.

Next time I'll have to share about the best meal I've had since I've come to Japan. Until then, seriously: go out to Rio, order that queso dip, and say "this is for Sam".

Nintendo Wii

I met a new friend a few weeks ago, named Taisei. He is into video games and other "geeky" pursuits similar to me. He is an acupuncturist and lives all of five minutes walk from my house, so we've become fast friends. He has a Nintendo Wii, and brought it over to our house one night to play it. It is FUN! Truly innovative gameplay, a really good time. I won't bore you further, just let me say if you're a gamer, you need to get one.

Anyways, in a generous move, Taisei said he wanted us to borrow it for a few weeks. Talk about a wonderful welcome! He has proved to be a really good friend already, showing me various places downtown that I would never have found on my own before. (Haha, this statement is totally true; I've actually been within ten feet of one of the places he showed me, a massively huge bookstore, without ever realizing that it was there!)

All in all, I justed wanted to post and say that I'm still having an absolute blast, but tend towards the busy side. Not often do I even find the time for video games, sadly... But hopefully this upcoming "weekend" (I have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off) can be devoted towards gaming.

Until then, eat some Rio Grande for me, ne?