How many fluffy animals can you get in a car?

Whilst driving around the streets of Japan, I've realised how many people decorate the insides of their cars. And by decorate, I mean cover. And by cover, I mean fill with so many fluffy animals, fake snow, and hanging dangling things that it's a wonder the drivers can even see through the windows!

It's insane. I've seen fully grown men driving around with Micky mouse steering wheel covers, dashboards covered in thirty or so fluffy Stitch dolls, back windscreens with so many animals that you almost want to smash into them just to see the toys go flying, and fake snow, or flowers almost completely covering the windows.

But there's nothing quite like the things I've seen dangling from the rearview mirror. Sometimes there are so many things hanging off it you wonder if the driver ever knocks themself out when they turn a sharp corner - charms from shrines, big fluffy toys, plastic toys, beads, make-up bags. I think in Japan they seem to have taken the world of the fluffy dice to extreme.

Strange finding

So, today I had a bit of spare time before my lesson and was wandering around looking for a vending machine cos' it was ridiculously hot.

And then there on the pavement, down by my feet was a porno video. I could tell exactly what it was because of the rather dodgy semi-clad, (and several unclad) ladies decorating the front of it. But I wasn't really sure what to do with it. You see there's an elementary school and a community centre just round the corner and it was just after 3, which is typical going home time for the little ones. And even I think 5 is probably a little young to be learning about things like that. So I didn't really think I should leave it there. But then what if it was like a Japanese version of Punk'd or something? Or maybe the owner had just dropped it and would race back to find their prized video.

As I wasn't really sure what to do with it, I waited five minutes, then phoned a friend - who told me to head back and if it was still there, pick it up. So I did. And it was. And I did. And now I seem to own a rather dubious video that I wouldn't otherwise. Hmmm what a weird day!

So, it's been a while

Yeah, I know gomen (sorry) it's been a while.

The thing is, I so often see things and think hey I should remember this, it's weird enough to fit in on my weird and wonderful world of Japan blog and I should get it down there so people can really see what a weird country it is. But then stuff happens, you get busy, and then you forget. Must happen to everyone. One minute it's there and the next huh what is it that I can't remember, what seemed so interesting before? cos' suddenly I have no idea and it's not there anymore.

Then it comes back to you, and then you get busy and it goes, comes back, goes, comes back and then finally it goes again. Yeah, it's something to do with ...... yeah can't remember right now. Get back to you later ......well maybe ....