After just two months of living in Japan, we have already learned to expect that whatever food/place/idea we encounter will most likely not be what we are used to in the states. It's as if the Japanese try to make something American, and they get close, but it's just not quite the same. For example, we went to a wonderful Christmas light fair and they were selling hot dogs. It sounded delicious so I bought one; only to bite into it and discover the dog was of a very different consistency and taste than what we are used to in the states and they also put mayonnaise and lettuce on it! Close, but not quite right.
Les Miserables, the movie, began playing in theatres out here so of course we went to go see it. We walked in assuming to have the same experience as an American theatre but quickly remembered we should expect something just a bit different. First of all, we bought our tickets from an automated machine (completely in Japanese). There are no attendants to buy tickets from. During the ticket process we actually were asked to select seats. Apparently the movie theatre has pre-ordered seating like a stage theatre. Not knowing this ahead of time we ended up with the two seats in the front row on the aisle. No joke. Secondly, there is absolutely no noise made in the screening room before, during, or after the movie. I was very grateful for this as it made the dramatic Les Miserables that much more real and enjoyable. However, I (Kylee) slipped back into "American mode" just after the movie ended and said in my Lollis-level volume "Wow! That was amazing!" only to realize quickly that every person in the theatre stays seated, and silent, until the very end of the credits. Yes, quite embarrassing. Thirdly, the price of one movie ticket is a whopping 1700Yen (~$19.50!).
We are so grateful for this opportunity to learn about another culture. As we have new adventures in Japan we see there is more than one way of doing things. No way is the "right" way. It's just different perspective.
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