Funny Things

Japan is the land of the vending machine. I have never seen so many vending machines in one place. it's like walking through a casino in Vegas - slot machines, or in this case vending machines, everywhere. The benefit is that you are never far from refreshment, be it water, juice, soda or beer that you desire. At first I found the idea of beer vending machines strange, but I've gotten used to the idea. What I haven't accepted is that the Japanese version of Gatorade is called Pocari Sweat. I just don't want to drink anything with the name sweat in the title.

For those of you that know Jaxon, you know he is a money magnet. That kid can find loose and forgotten change anywhere. Before we left the states he'd developed a habit of getting on his hands and knees in the checkout line of the store, looking for dropped change. Amazingly, he usually found some. Just imagine him here in Japan, vending machines on every corner. Let's just say that we cannot walk down the street without pestering Jaxon to hurry, get up, etc. But, he always comes home richer than when he left!

Toilets...I always thought they were pretty standard and basic. Wrong! Here's a little toilet tutorial before I tell you another embarrassing fact of family life for us in Japan.

Squatters - or eastern toilets. These are like little mini-bathtubs sunk into the ground that one has to squat over to use. You are basically doing your business in a hole in the ground. There are no handles or anywhere to hang on, you just pray that you can squat wide enough, deep enough, and long enough to make your target and miss your leg. Avoid these if possible.

Western Toilets - these are basic toilets to us Americans. Many places (but not all) have 1 or 2 of these available alongside the squatters. Finding one of these is like taking a giant drink of water on a hot day - refreshing.

Western Toilets+- These are just like the standard western toilets but they have a little sink on top that runs automatically when you flush the toilet. You're supposed to wash your hands there, but no one keeps soap there. Not sure about that one.

Western Toilets ++-These are the Caddies of toilets. They look like a western toilet but they have buttons along the right side next to your but that offer a variety of services to the user. There is the fake flush, which sounds like a flush but doesn't use any water. This is to cover any noises one might make. There is also a deodorize button with volume control, two different butt-spray buttons, and a seat warmer and the fancier ones. That's a toilet!

Western Toilets Deluxe+++ - Yep, it gets better. All the same functions as a Western Toilet ++, but....wait for it....this one has a motion sensor that automatically raises and lowers the lid for you! It's a woman's dream!

Soooo...we were furniture shopping yesterday and Lil had to go. The women's was busy so we sent her to the men's. (She would die if she knew this, so, shhhh!) Jaxon and I are waiting outside the door for her, causing all kinds of commotion with our whiteness. (When I say we are minorities, we are. There are maybe 10 white people that make up the entire foreign population in the area that we live in. We definitely get a lot of looks). The 3 sales ladies were watching us and talking, pointing, giggling, etc. Lil comes out of the toilet all smiles. "Mom! You have to come in here! This toilet is amazing!" So, I check out the toilet, and she's right. Amazing! I want one! Imaging the joy of the workers watching us all take turns raising and lowering the lid despite not having to go.