Last weekend I skiied. Skiing is nothing new (it remains an awesome way to spend time but there is not much novelty in it); using a Japanese-style public bath was very new. While I was there, I actually wrote out a long description of the process and my impressions, but it boils down to this: there is a shallow hot tub, filled with people (all of your own gender) who are not wearing anything. People who grew up before Japan was occupied don’t seem to care; people who grew up after that all have western-style notions of privacy, and maintain what modesty they can with a washcloth. Everyone fails, of course, because you’re not allowed to actually put the washcloth in the water.
When I got back, I discovered a number of things I wanted to link to. linked to a series of ads which prove that stereotypes are funny. I found the perfect gift for a traveller.
And, of course, the news. This can be broken down into stories which make me sad, and stories which make me happy.
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