Journal from Japan

      In Japan, if you followed my directions to "Drive on the right," you'd be in big trouble.  The cars are on the LEFT hand-side of the road, and the people walk on the left side of the sidewalk.  The hotel's "In" door which slides open automatically is on the left side.  I've been saying "excuse me" in Japanese a lot as I bump into people and wait a long time for the door to open at the hotel before I remember to move.
      In Japan, when people make sounds to imitate animals, they are different.  For example, a cow says, "moe, moe," and a dog says "wahn-wahn."  (I've spelled these with English sounds, not Japanese.)  In Japan, there are important symbols.  The turtle and the crane are both symbols for long life.  You don not give chrysanthemum flowers as a gift because they are used only for religious occasions.  You do not give gifts that total the numeral "4."  Four is very bad luck in Japan, so is the number "9."  When you become 9 years old, children have to do helping jobs for the community to apologize for being nine.  Remember, I've told you how important manners and respect are here.
      November 15 is an important day her for children who are 3, 5, or 7 years old.  At the Asakusa Kannon Temple today, I see why.  The parents dress the chidden in beautiful traditional clothes and go to pray at the temple.  I asked the mother if I could take her daughter's picture.  After I did, I gave her a Georgia quarter.  Her mother made her say "Thank you" in English.  I said "Domo arigato" to her to be polite and use their language. 
       Maybe I'll have squid for dinner tonight. Oishii!