America The Large

When moving from a country with an approximate land area of 377,000 square kilometers to one with over 9.5 million square kilometers it becomes obvious that size does matter. The Japanese, as a people are small compared to their American counterparts; shorter and thinner. They drive smaller cars and live in smaller apartments. Public spaces are smaller, restaurants, bars and stores. Food portions are definitely smaller. I've been known to order two entrees. (Or two desserts but that was in the U.S.) Finally something very noticeable to me, airplane seats on Japanese airlines are smaller.

In contrast, Americans are large. We live large, eat large, play large and drive large things. Not that it's bad. I enjoy being able to live in a nice house with a big yard without having to sever two appendages and hand them over to the man. I definitely get plenty to eat from just one entree. Also it is nice to be able to drive a vehicle and to be able to throw anything you want in the back. But that comes at a price and with the cost of gasoline, that price is rising. It also seems to be taking a toll on the environment.

Speaking of transportation, that is a mixed bag of good and bad. The freedom of a car is nice but the mind numbing ease of the trains had the allure of simplicity. I don't like constantly changing radio stations from one unsatisfying song to the mindless drivel of talk radio and back. People watching (or snoozing) on the trains was better. I didn't really care for taking 4 different trains though and changing at several stations just to get somewhere. It's nice just to drive and park.

So this, as with all other things, I find is both a good and bad adjustment.

Finally on another note I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Robyn has gone back to Tokyo for a few weeks. We'll miss her, already do. If you watch closely I'll be changing "This Month's Countdown" to her return as soon as possible after the current one is done.