(no subject)
My dad just posted his photos from when he and my mom and brother were in Kyoto. It's really interesting because he took pictures of things that I'd never think to photograph, things I see pretty much everyday here and so don't find too strange: super-detailed plastic food displays in front of restaurants (so you can figure out what they serve and whether you want to eat it); vending machines everywhere (with similar plastic replicas or just old bottles of the drinks they well); squat toilets; and probably some other stuff I forgot.
It's funny because now I take all of this for granted. I barely even recognize as ironic the thought, "Now where do I park my bicycle...? Oh! There's the "NO BICYCLE PARKING" sign, that's where I park it." The appearance of Kit-Kat bars, potato chips, or Calorie Mate (a biscuity snack with lots of calories and protein and nutrients for when you don't have time for real food) in vending machines barely warrants comment, much less every single drink ever.
I guess it's my first idea of what reverse culture shock will be like. You mean I can't get healthy food at the conbini that will inevitably be on every corner? Why are people getting annoyed with me on my bicycle? What is this wearing shoes inside thing?!?!
It's funny because now I take all of this for granted. I barely even recognize as ironic the thought, "Now where do I park my bicycle...? Oh! There's the "NO BICYCLE PARKING" sign, that's where I park it." The appearance of Kit-Kat bars, potato chips, or Calorie Mate (a biscuity snack with lots of calories and protein and nutrients for when you don't have time for real food) in vending machines barely warrants comment, much less every single drink ever.
I guess it's my first idea of what reverse culture shock will be like. You mean I can't get healthy food at the conbini that will inevitably be on every corner? Why are people getting annoyed with me on my bicycle? What is this wearing shoes inside thing?!?!