Scrawlings

So while we were there I kept a running list of things that were new and strange, funny or neat-o to us. Here’s what I came up with:

1. Temperature sensors at the air port- no viruses allowed!

2. Muffs on the handles of scooters. How very clever!

3. Coat covers at restaurants where you cook your own food at the table – makes sense I guess.

4. Public washrooms – literally all over the city.

5. Crotchless kids pants – this one was by far the strangest. Young toddlers can be found diperless in these crotchless (sometimes extending to the behind) pants in order to relieve themselves by taking a quick squat…(?) How those little cheeks stay warm is beyond me…

6. China, or at least the areas of Beijing that we saw were exceptionally clean – by that I mean, we expected it to look, feel and smell dirty and it didn’t.

7. Lots of elbowing – There were always crowds but usually enough space, nevertheless some Chinese person would walk by you and bump into you on the way…

8. Competitive table tennis? – There was a park close to our hostel that frequently had competitive ping-pong games going on inside it, something we’re not used to seeing at parks.

9. The Chinese are so active – be it line dancing in front of the Catholic church, dancing with ribbons, hacky-sack in the park, they are out and a bout and staying fit!

10. They are not so short – Skylar expected to feel tall in China He didn’t.

11. And seriously, what would China be like without any Engrish….

We arrived in Osaka by mid day on our last day in Japan and were thrilled to see that Osaka’s cherry trees were blossoming. We spent our time checking out Osaka Castle, wandering the grounds and taking in the blossoms before we grabbed some dinner and made our way to the airport.

Indeed a pleasant end to our travels.