japan!

after a long flight of twelve hours we have finally arrived in Japan! My birthday is in a few days (may 5th) and we are trying to figure out how to celebrate it. any ideas? i tried sticky rice and i think it tastes like dirt :)! we have no rental car here and instead ride the train every where. the train looks just like an above ground subway and you almost never get a seat! when the train is full you can hardly move. the people on the trains are completely silent and every other person shuts there eyes (but don't sleep). after purchasing something the costumer bows (more like a big nod) before leaving. the symbol of luck is a cat(makes sense considering it has 9 lives). the symbol of long life is a turtle and the owl symbols no unlucky days. our "vacation home" or as i like to call it our trailer is very small and i have to sleep on the floor on a mat thing called a Futon. they have mcdonalds in japan along with many other wierd stores. i hate almost all the food here in Japan and am surprised i have not yet starved.
miss you all,
katie