Text 2125, 122 rader
Skriven 2006-06-15 18:53:38 av Carol Shenkenberger (6:757/1)
     Kommentar till en text av Glen Jamieson
Ärende: Re: CHICKEN 472 60503
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*** Quoting Glen Jamieson from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***

GJ> Shopping for food in local markets is the most effective way of
GJ> getting to know a society.  A morning spent buying and learning how to
GJ> prepare unfamiliar vegetables and fruit is very satisfying, and you
GJ> know that next time you return you will be welcomed.

Absolutely!  Besides, it's just pure FUN to do!

GJ> nearby just got giggles when I asked her how to use it. Later, my
GJ> house girl told me it was used as magic to attract someone of the
GJ> opposite sex - you chew it and spit it in the direction of the other
GJ> person, and s/he will find you irresistable!


Snicker over the cinnimon bark!

 CS> Convience foods in the states are a 200% markup.  In Japan, it's done
 CS> by hand at the food stall in spare time and is normally 10% increase. 
 CS> I might add, I get 'same price as Japanese housewife' here.  Thats why
 CS> it can be cheaper as well as more fun to shop at Tonoo market for me.

GJ> Vendors can easily tell the difference between the tourist who just
GJ> wants to buy a souvenir ("How quaint!") and the "one of us" housewife.

Oddly they can tell the same even when 'tourist' shoppers like me hit Korea and
places like that.  Aint hard.

 CS>   Once we get here to Sasebo, we get a 5 day
 CS> class but 3 days of it is probably what the base has to offer.  Like
 CS> most who assimulated well, I learned it on my own after they said 'dont
 CS> be scared, just go out and have a smile and expect some things to be
 CS> different'. 

GJ> It helps a lot to have your kind of willingness to learn and like.

Hopefully others here will, if they travel, remember this.  Some of us travel
alot and some do not get the chance very often.  If you go out just expecting
everything to be a bit different and some things to be wildly different,
you'll have a great time.  Otherwise, you just get pissed off when you order a
'hamburger' in OZ and get a slice of ham in a samwich (grin).

 CS> after I moved to Japan.  (Homeside security?  Homeland Security?  One
 CS> of those names). 

GJ> Yes, you have to prepare yourself for general, but subtle changes to
GJ> USA which have occurred since then.  Having visited there before and
GJ> after 9/11 and Iraq, I have noticed changes.  Mostly not good ones.

It doesnt sound good at all but we will get used to it, like the people there
have.

 CS> Hope so!  Charlotte is the one i am worried about.  Stateside school
 CS> system at grade 8 for the first time since grade 1 graduation.

GJ> She will probably be horrified at the way the cult of violence has
GJ> infiltrated school life there, as compared with Japanese customs.

Definately.  Here in Sasebo, even the 'cool kids' wont put up with that !#@%#%
and fast disabuse any who try to bring it with them.

Here's a sample.  It's end of the school year and the 'lost and found' locker
has to be cleared out.  All the kids were taken through for a final check to
see if any of it was theirs, then after clearing that out, each kid was
allowed to select an item or so they wanted that had no owner.  Realize that
any kid 'could' have claimed anything first run, but they just flat out didnt
unless it really was their own stuff.  Next run, it was a sort of shopping
trip and Charlotte selected out a purple umbrella that had been there more
than 6 months and 2 other small items (a 5 inch left stub of a pokemon pencil
and a thermos missing the cup top with a cool looking logo) as her fair share.

Big ticket items like jackets suitable for serious cold weather only went to
the 'owners' and are saved for next year incase a kid needs one to get home. 
We figure if it was there all year, then not claimed at summer, it's a good
reuse for the teachers who see a kid without a coat.

In 2 weeks, they have a different sort of 'lucky bag' operation.  Thats where
the parents drop off clothes that are clean and ironed, and that their kids
have outgrown.  New folks checking in, who need stuff because the household
goods take 4-5 months to arrive and cant pack much in the luggage on the
air-flight over, get those.  I usually pass the stuff to neighbors but some
has gone there as well.

GJ>  
 CS> Grin, I will be fine.  Don should be ok once he finds a good bar again

GJ> That would be quite important, if he could find some drinking mates to
GJ> spend time with while he learns about life in modern USA.

Yes.  It matches our needs.  It's funny the things people forget to account for
when they move just 'now and again' but know are important if they move often.
One of the factors involved inthe house we bought, was proximity to several
decent bars in a reasonable walking distance.


 CS> be too wild).  His first bar may be a hit of luck again as the
 CS> management drove out the young bikers and are anathma on drugs and the
 CS> heavey levening of retired military and active means it will probably
 CS> match his conversation needs. 

GJ> That sounds suitable.  Ex-military types who can speak his language.

As well as being a bit traveled outside the USA which broadens one.  The
nearest one with 'fishing talk' is still there, and 3 miles away which matches
a decent regular taxi ride for price every week or so.  Walkable to it, taxi
home at late night.


GJ> On a different subject, I read that Australia has ordered the building
GJ> of 2 new amphibious naval ships, as being the most effective way of
GJ> dealing with emergencies and natural disasters in our region, such as
GJ> tsunamis, volcanos, earthquakes - the sort of naval function that you
GJ> would have become familiar with.

Intersting!  I think the most recent problems in Indonesia had the OZ navy
nearest.  We got about 1/2 way there and were sent back as not needed.  That
tme, we were not 'close' like other times.  Darwin itself was closer sail than
we were I think.
                                       xxcarol

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