Post #4

Since landing in Japan, I've already ventured out into the big bad city of Tokyo, Shinjuku to be precise, on my own. Having been given brief directions, I left my hotel in search for the Post Office Bank to exchange some Dollars into Yen. It was a straight path there, but crossing the street for the first time in Japan is like crossing the street for the first time period. In Boston, I would casually cross when there was no oncoming traffic, but here everyone waits for the signals, so I had to control myself to do the same. At the post office, I used a combination of very basic Japanese and English to convey my desire to exchange currency. The bank section was closed and I was instructed to return tomorrow at 10am. Brave and bold, I continued to patrol the streets while the cloudy skies began to form rain clouds. Ducking into a Lawson convenient store, I made my first purchase in Japan, a clear Japanese umbrella. Unable to understand the cashier as she spoke to me, I just nodded and left the store feeling no less different than a mute. Hungry, I found a friend back at the hotel and together we went to grab some food at a nearby Curry place. Instead of placing an order with the waiter, I experience the wonderful process of Japanese eats. We bought a food voucher from a vending machine and handed the ticket to our server, who then brought out our food. All of this took place in less than minutes. This was amazing, no conversations necessary. I guess I can survive in this country, for now.