A Fukuokan's Notes from Sapporo

My husband's favourite. $1.7 ! Bravo!

My must-eat in the USA. Three-day supply.

Nice at the first bite...I wish there were some jam or something in the middle of the sponge.

Lesson: I shouldn't expect fresh and nice shrimps in a state without sea.

The nice thing this time was that I managed to have a plenty of veggies, thanks to the local farmer's market!

Why American people need four pillows for a bed? For pillow fights?

Notes for my next trip…

 

·        Before going to the US, try to get tuned in English as much as possible. I wasted a good portion of my trip not being able to comprehend the local language. And once I got somewhat used to it, it was time to leave.

 

·        Be realistic with speaking. As long as I can do things, it is OK. I don’t need to sound clever or witty in English. No one in America (and possibly in Japan) expects me to do so—especially with my great Japanese accent.

 

·        Pay with changes, not notes, even though it is challenging to count unfamiliar money at till. This time my bag became unbearably heavy as the result of my laziness.

 

·        Even though they don’t understand what I say in Japanese, do not say everything popping up in my mind: such as “urusai,” “mazui,” “busaiku,” “zuuzuushii,” “shine” etc…. It can grow into a dangerous habit in Japan, where everyone understands what I say and my voice carries well.

 

Things should be brought from japan

·        cooking sources  (especially miso flavour)

·        sobatsuyu

·        Good-quality Ramen (in case my stomach becomes upset: non-fried noodle is preferable)

·        salad dressing (can be used as vinegar)

·        soy sauce (preferably in 5ml packs)

·        small packs of oil (if available)

·        umeboshi (to refresh the taste bud after greasy meals)

·        pair of chopsticks (to make the in-room dinning feel more “home”)

·        washing-up sponge and cling film (if there is enough room in the suitcase)

·        plastic paper folders

·        small zipper bags

·        nail clipper and cotton buds

·        hand sanitizer

·        Mouthwash (can substitute for gargle and tooth paste)

·        Eyeglass cleaning fluid

·        Toothbrush (American size is too big for me)

 

Things that do not necessarily need to be brought

·        rice and its products (can be bought in small quantity)

·        digital camera(smartphone can do)

·        dictionary (If don’t have job to do there)

·        snack foods (due to the nature of American-style meals, protein- and fat-rich, I didn’t feel hungry between meals)

·        surgical masks (no one wearing it)

·        waribashi(if I bring “proper” chopsticks)

·        cooked Japanese foods (as long as I have soy sauce, I should be fine without them)