What I learned from Japan

This will be a rather short post and then I will post some funny/interesting photos from Japan. Japan is an interesting place. The truth is I don't know where to begin this blog. I will in this blog refrain from being politically correct and from ignoring that which was running through my mind while there, but would never tell a local.
One thing that surprised me while being in Japan was the lack of rest that everyone there displayed. When I say "everyone" I really mean "everyone." Along the streets in Japan there are vending machines that sell all sorts of energy drinks and other concoctions that supposedly work wonders for your memory etc... yet when I would travel in the subway or sit at a cafe' the majority of people either looked drained beyond measure or too wired to sit and just "be." I found this rather sad because I love to have time to just "be" and not think of anything else. I'm sure they may say the same things about Americans when they visit, but I really couldn't believe it while I was there. It could be that many of the people I saw were also wired because they hadn't had a smoke in a while. Lining most streets right next to the energy drink machines were cigarette and alcohol vending machines. Our hotel, which had apartments connected to it also had a cigarette dispenser and an alcohol vending machine in its lobby. I couldn't tell why these things were superfluous in a culture that is often said to be one of the most honorable or innovative in the world. Is it that Japan has become too Americanized? The fact that there were pornographic magazines in the "Family Mart" or large video gambling halls on many side streets made me ask these questions. I'm not saying Americans aren't "obsessed" with porn or gambling halls, but in America porn is often hidden in a back room somewhere and gambling halls at a large casino somewhere. Not only that, but American gambling does not include anime' cartoon characters on their video lottery machines. You can ask yourself that question when you visit Japan or know someone from there and can ask them their opinion.
The other thing I learned is that you are never too young to play video games as I saw a 40 year old playing Nintendo DS on a subway train. I learned that in Japan everyone texts rather than talking to each other. Women also must wear either large boots or have interesting leggings in order to match the fashion in Osaka. I felt sometimes like I was back in a cross between the middle ages and the future, leather boots met the "metro sexual" individual through cell phones and black suit coat etc.
Overall, Japan is an intriguing place with many innovations, good food, and great people. It is simply hard to understand the social structure of post WWII Japan and its place in the world. I hope you had a few laughs while reading, but know that if you ever get the chance to visit Japan wear sneakers and use the stair stepper at the gym before attempting the subway stations. This is Grant Signing Off.