Give a Hand for Japan

List of things originating in Japan or distinctly Japanese: sushi, fortune cookies, sashimi, ramen noodles, wasabi, edamame, ninjas, samurai, kimono robes, crystal meth, airsoft guns, Pokemon, leaf blowers, rock-paper-scissors, geisha, katana swords, competitive car-drifting, origami, haiku poetry, karaoke, sake, judo, karate, sumo wrestling, Nikkei stock index Well-known Japanese Brands: Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Bridgestone, Sony, Nintendo, Bandai, Sega, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Epson, Kenwood, Pioneer

Interesting Facts about Japan

Thought I would share some interesting facts I have learned about Japan: - It is considered inappropriate behavior to blow your nose in public and to eat when walking. - Women often cut their hair after breaking up with their boyfriend. - Japan`s literacy rate is almost 100%. - Each year about 15,000 earthquakes are recorded in Japan. - People often 'slurp' their food when eating.  It is a sign that the person is enjoying their meal, and if it is not done, the host may be very offended. - Many businesses offer alcohol to their employees after 6 PM. - Toilets with bidets and heated seats are very common. - Japan is about the size of California but has almost half the population of the entire United States. - Fruits are forbiddingly expensive in Japan. You could pay up to $2 for a single apple or peach. - On Japanese stock tickers, the meaning of the colors red and green is the opposite of that on our tickers: red means an increase and green means a decrease. (Check out the pictures) - Newspaper editors make their headlines so as not to attract attention.

Foreign Fast Food

This is kind of random but I found it interesting and maybe some of you will too.  American fast food companies sometimes change their menus and use different ingredients in order to better cater to local tastes and cooking practices in foreign countries: KFC in India:  special crispy chicken-look-a-like veggie sandwich, rizo rice meal McDonalds in Egypt and Dubai:  McArabia sandwich McDonalds in India:  no beef products, Maharaja Mac, Paneer Salsa Wrap, McCurry Pan Burger King in Netherlands:  Nacho Sandwich McDonalds in Germany:  Beer, NuernBurger in the city of Nuremberg McDonalds in Peru:  special "aji" hot pepper sauce, Inca Kola beverages McDonalds in Japan:  McPork instead of McChicken, special "Big American" series of burgers like the Manhattan and Miami Burgers, Apple Pies are crispy and fried-like instead of flaky and baked, Nintendo Gaming Zone seats

Konnichiha!

Konnichiha (pronounced konnichiwa and means hello) from Japan! I arrived in Tokyo safe and sound.  The adventure begins in the world's most populated city.

Everest, Nepal, India

All pictures and videos have been uploaded.