n00bs and b00bs
I thought I'd write briefly about two things I've seen recently that... uh, I don't know, I noticed?

First, there are n00bs in the Kokusaibu. Some nutcases decided to leave America MID SCHOOL YEAR and come here. Of course, I should get to know them... but a) we have no classes together and b) we're too busy chuckling in all our bitter, cynical glory about what will disappoint them.

I saw a n00b in the ladies' room the other day looking around forlornly after she was washing her hands. It occurred to me that she was probably looking for paper towels. At that thought, I almost laughed and I almost, ALMOST said to her, Honeychild, didn't anyone TELL you? This is JAPAN. They' ain't no paper towels HERE. Because, well, there aren't. And I was lucky enough to have a few people warn me about that before I came. Frankly, it's still unbelievable. I've just gotten used to drying on my jeans. Don't get me wrong, I own about fifty hand towels... but do I ever remember to take them WITH me to the bathroom? No.

Second, on the way home from the gym today I saw a pregnant woman. A biiiiiiig pregnant woman. And aside from the gaijin I met on Market Street the other day, she's the ONLY pregnant woman I've yet seen in Japan. Maybe the ladies aren't "in season" yet... or maybe it's just too hazukashi (embarrasing) to be seen in public pregnant. I don't know. Anyway, the interesting part is that this VERY pregnant lady was going to the creepy red-riding-hood shrine... which, if you recall, is actually the shrine of a diety for firefighters and children. I love how these two have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in common. I was touched, though, to see someone actually showing a sign of faith, hope or devotion in a "sacred space" rather than passing through like every other "tourist." In fact, it's the first time I've ever seen anyone enter that shrine besides me. Strange.