I live in Japan.
Lately, I've started writing down things I overhear American tourists say.
Here are my favorites so far.
At Fushimi Inari, the mountain path with thousands of red gates:
"Babe. How many more gates? We passed the 'last one' an hour ago."
At a convenience store at midnight:
"Why is this egg sandwich better than the food at our wedding?"
In Nara, where the deer bow:
"That deer just bowed at me. Do I bow back? ...I'm bowing back. I'm already bowing back."
On a bullet train platform:
"It left at exactly 10:00. Not 10:01. I'm a little scared."
Coming out of a restroom:
"The toilet started playing music, so I panicked and pressed every button."
And then there's the one I didn't overhear. I just saw it.
At Tokyo Station, the bullet train cleaning crew was lined up on the platform, bowing as the train pulled in.
A little American girl, maybe six years old, stopped walking.
She put her hands at her sides and bowed back. A big, serious, very careful bow.
The whole crew smiled, and bowed to her again.
She looked up at her mom and whispered, "They're so nice."
I've lived here my whole life.
That was one of the best things I've ever seen at Tokyo Station.
Japan has a very special place in my heart. We're thinking of everyone as they continue to face the effects of the Kumamoto earthquake and aftershocks. We're grateful to the first responders helping those in need. Apple is making a donation to support relief efforts.
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