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A few dumb thoughts after the last trip this year.
Wed, 20 December 2006

I am so back in Tokyo and working.... After telling my boss that I'd be leaving, I way passed the point where I was so interested in what I had been doing here. I have no motivation to do any better work. But I still work anyway. This is not good. I should act pretty and deligent like I always did even if my actual work is not much. Anyway... I came to work directly from the airport this morning and I feel like I am still on a personal vacation day but nope. :-( Here's what I have thought during the stay. 1. I should at least try to speak other languages on "I-can-go-shopping-and-buy-what-I-exactly-want" level. So I bought a touristy language book for German, Italian, and Spanish. I am not sure when I will finish but I am trying... Well, actually, I'd love to talk dirty in some languages, too.. :-)
2. I realized whenever I pay for things I buy or eat at the cashier, a clerk there in Amsterdam always goes "XX Euros XX cents, please" in fluent English. I mean they always add "please" at the end. I find it nice compared with just getting informed about the amount I owe. :-)
3. Around the baggage claim for the flight from Amsterdam, they always increase the number of drug detecting dogs for this specific flights because many Japanese tourists go to Amsterdam for a very specific purpose. I don't mind those dogs sniffing my luggage. What I do mind is when they pee near my luggage!!! I didn't bring anything illegal. Darn.
02:04 PM Travel | Permalink | Comments (8) | (0)
Comments
Poor Shigeki, but I know how you feel about work. I am off to my new job today.
1. Heehee, you'll have to do an audio blog to practice.
2. I'm still surprised that they are all speaking English. I want to go to Amsterdam.
3. At least you weren't grabbed by the police in the Toronto airport on your way back from Zurich, (after innocently petting the dog sniffing my bag and not even thinking he might be smelling drugs) taken to the search area, told several times by the scary dykey security guard that it would better if I just confessed, threatened with a strip search, then abruptly let go barely in time to catch my flight. Whew.
Posted by: T. Kevin at December 20, 2006 10:50 PM
I can help you with your spanish, even with the dirty parts ;)
Posted by: Cesar at December 21, 2006 02:45 PM
"Well, actually, I'd love to talk dirty in some languages, too.. :-)"
don't we all?
"...many Japanese tourists go to Amsterdam for a very specific purpose."
really? was that one of your purposes in visiting Amsterdam too? ;-)
Posted by: fullofhype at December 22, 2006 12:26 AM
Funny how jobs are kinda like relationships...when you don't have one, you desperately want one, and when you have one, you wish you didn't! Maybe I've been too picky about the job hunt.
I hope the FABULOUS book has helped you on your #1 goal a bit!
Posted by: GaijinGirl at December 22, 2006 09:42 AM
Hola. Te Me Quiero. - Okay, that's my attempt in talking dirtly to you in Spanish. :P
Posted by: Wayne at December 23, 2006 01:19 AM
Well at least you manage to get out and have a good weekend? :-) Anyway welcome back to Tokyo - hope the winter is not too harsh this time round! I remember last year it was pretty cold in Tokyo but I loved the cold weather. It is hot and humid here and unbelievably hot here!
I believe the Japanese people working in the retail industry is exceptionally courteous and helpfull!! I missing this kind of service here.......
Hope you have a good weekend! Cheers
Posted by: ian at December 24, 2006 12:23 AM
merry christmas shigeki!!
Posted by: tiptup at December 25, 2006 04:59 AM
Hi T.Kevin,
I hear Amsterdam is the most English spoken city except for those cities whose first language is English. So you won't have any problems. :-) You should definitely visit in addition to Paris and London! :-0 Wow, I am so sorry that you had to go through that at Toronto once. What's up with those people? One time, I was asked to undo my pants in front of the officer in the middle of the security area... that was not pleasant. :-( Have a fantabulous FINAL week of year 2006!
Hi Cesar,
Oh, that's fantastic. I always think if you have someone to talk to, the lagnuage skill gets better quickly. :-) Have a fantabulous FINAL week of year 2006!
Hi Fullofhype,
hahaha. I guess we do but isn't it great that you can talk dirty in several other languages? Yes, they do go to Amsterdam to get high. Well, it's not one of my purposes as it takes time. But sometimes, I do when i go there. :-) Have a fantabulous FINAL week of year 2006!
Hi GaijinGirl,
You said it right. yes, I think it's weird that you don't really miss what you are doing when you are doing that but when you quit, you start to miss it. :-) That book certainly helps me but the thing is I am gonna havve to have someone to practice it with. :-0 Have a fantabulous FINAL week of year 2006!
Hi Wayne,
Thank you very much but I cannot say that in the middle of nowhere, can I? :-) I wonder what would happen if I said that in the middle of somewhere in Mexico :-) Have a fantabulous FINAL week of year 2006!
Hi Ian,
Oh yeah, I was able to get out and had a good weekend there. It's not too cold like last year actually. :-) But it's not warm at all. It's hot and humid? wow... But considering where you are, that is no surprise? But humidity is very sexy. :-) Yes, people here are very courteous and helpful. And the best thing is we do not have to pay anyone. :-) Have a fantabulous FINAL week of year 2006!
Hi Tiptup,
Thanks very much. Merry Christmas to you, too. Have a fantabulous FINAL week of year 2006!
Posted by: Shigeki at December 25, 2006 05:33 AM


