Superpowered Random Adventures

Just a few more short and sweet comments on life in Japan....

I recently discovered that one of my superpowers is the ability to stop trains. In Japan, trains rarely stop, as punctuality is valued above all else. So it takes something truly unique to get a train to stop. However, if a silly , out of shape foreigner shoves an umbrella in the door in order to join her husband, who can run up stairs a might faster than her, the train will stop. The train doors here aren't incredibly sensitive and something like an umbrella won't cause the doors to pop open. You have to stop the train to open the doors to get the umbrella out and the silly foreigner on. Highly embarrassing, but also very interesting.

I also recently spiffed up my superhero look with a new haircut. I went to a new salon where there is some English spoken. My hair looked fine when I'd gotten it cut previously but it was starting to get out of control and I didn't know the Japanese words for 'thin' or 'layer' and the conversation required to go with it was waaaay out of my league.

Men's haircuts here are a unique ritual that you should really ask Carl about. Women's salons aren't so different from home, but there are a few big differences. First, they cover your face when you get your hair washed. Nothing personal, it's just to protect your make-up. Also they comb your hair out after washing it, which combined with the light conditioner used here can cause some massive tangles or giant frizz if you have curly or wavy hair. Often when getting your hair dried or styled there will be 2 people working on your hair. 2 or more people circling you with blowdryers or combs or straighteners to give your hair all the TLC it needs. You could start to feel like a celebrity with all that attention going to your head (hee...sorry, I can't resist bad puns!) However even with all that attention, it took me 2 hours to get my hair washed and cut. Am I just special or a pain in the neck?

Also quick head and shoulder massages are often included in your haircut. Not a lot different from home, but the massage technique is probably very unique. It started with some quick squeezes and pressure point holding, OK, nothing out of the ordinary here. But when she held both hands together and started slamming them onto my shoulders and head with loud clapping noises I started to wonder if I was more tense than I realized. I was literally beaten about the head and neck. All in the name of good customer service. And after some asking around I discovered this was a standard practice at many salons.

Anyway, after all is said and done I have a lovely haircut to take with me Tokyo. Yes, that's right, our next adventure will be all about the wonders of the nation's capital. Also, all about the two most revered days on the calendar, April Fools and Carl's Birthday. Funny how they fall so close together.

We also have lots more pictures uploaded, including a new section of Japanese flower arrangements called ikebana. Stay tuned...