FEAR does not exist in this dojo, does it!?!

sadly, my only reference to japan before last weekend was karate kid 2. ironically, a few days before we left, it was on HBO (and apparently not entertaining enough to block during earthquake coverage). the question i have is this: when did the man i remember as daniel larusso turn into a boy?? last i checked, his bulging muscles were strong enough for any challenge ... he was wise and mature ... he could drive a car ... and i wanted him to be the man that would fight for my honor.

when i got older, i also wanted him to take me to the prom.

this time, when sensei no mercy tells johnny to 'sweep the leg,' i screamed at the tv ... 'no!!! he's just a child!' but then again, what child is named 'ralph' in real life?

japan lived up to all my expectations, and then some. i stepped off the plane to clear air and the smell of donuts. it is lush ... the climate comfortable, and i do believe it to be an OCD paradise. here's why:

there are rules. people with OCD like rules. even better, the japanese actually follow them.

there is no jaywalking. on streets with no cars, we watched groups of people wait for the walk sign to signal their right of passage.

stand on the right ... walk on the left. when everyone does it, it works.

there is discipline.

trains are not late, and you don't talk on the phone while you are on them.

tokyo, as a whole, is quiet ... a stark contrast to the vegas like stimulation in shanghai. the streets are IMMACULATE. this is the single craziest thing. i am a germaphobe ... but i tell you, if i were homeless, i would spange until i could buy a ticket to japan. i'm pretty sure i would eat off the streets, and i almost got the chance. while walking w/ scott and the baby grizz (scott, nicole, and bg are cousins who have been in japan for some time now, and graciously welcomed us for a long weekend), little graham thought it hilarious to dump his baggie of cheerios from his perch on scott's shoulders. chad, scott and i traded uncomfortable glances, getting the distinct feeling we had committed an unforgivable sin. we used our feet to try to move the cheerios off the walkway. within seconds, the shopkeeper came out to tell us our efforts were not acceptable. he and scott exchanged words before he produced a broom and dustpan, demanding we clean our mess. after we had finished, i noticed him doing it again ...

despite the streets being clean, there are no shoes in houses.

there are mountains, and water ... the freshest sushi ... and you can drink from the tap. there is fashion and art, and old school bikes with baskets of all sizes. you can walk through the subway w/ your bag open, and during a hike, we saw un-manned vegetable stations w/ little bowls to collect payment.

with government implemented 'relaxed summer dress code policies' to help businesses save energy on AC, and no public garbage cans (as everyone is expected to take care of their own waste - in 17 different types of recycling cans), i'm thoroughly impressed at what is possible when a community works together.

japan, i heart you. and i hope to be back soon to roam barefoot on your meticulously laid brick streets.