I went shopping the other day and at checkout I got some japanese Yen mixed in with the Korean WAN. That's pretty embarrassing, they really hate the Japanese here. Polite person that I am I responded immediately with a heartfelt "GOMENASAI!".
I don't think I can ever go back to that store.....

Talking about birdflu: I just realized that I somehow managed to get birdshit on my collar. Blind hen that I am I didn't realize it for almost a day. Consistantly inhaling the guano vapors AND looking stupid.

I was half hoping they'd send me back to Japan at immigration, since I have my visa in my old passport and none in my new one. They didn't and I went through the whole immigration nightmare rather swiftly and easily. Even the ride home turned out to be relatively fast and the streets surprisingly uncongested for local standards.
When I entered my apartment it became apparent that the student in charge of plants and bills never got the email about my return. But that's a separate issue and I am confident that once I have mourned the casualties it will only take a few weeks to get basic services and acceptable standards of hygiene reestablished.
Meanwhile I'm again impressed by the building power of the Koreans. LG Metro City, my housing complex, has by now almost outgrown Berlin.
I found a new Fried Chicken restaurant near my house. It's called "Chicken Syndrome". I find that to be an excellent name in the age of Bird Flu.
I need to go on a journey now to the place that sells decent coffee.....
yes, there is only one.

My last day in Japan. I was omiyage shopping today, getting little presents for people in Busan. Got some incense in a Buddhist shop and some other interesting stuff in Fujizawa. Then I went to Machida, thought I'd get some fancy tea or chocolate in the department store. I managed to sneak past the Ramen stand, not that I dislike the Ramen guy, but I didn't want to get caught up in another ramen situation. Somehow I ran into him when I was trying to leave the store. He was delighted. Said his wife had seen me walking around and he'd been waiting for me. To celebrate our international friendship he fed me some more Ramen and he agreed that Ramen might not be the thing to bring to Korea as a present. He proceeded to introduce me to all his Japanese customers and I smiled and assured everyone that, yes, I like Ramen and yes, this ramen was very delicious.
I really like the guy, told him to come to Busan with his stuff.
I celebrated my last night by doing a numerological analysis of my name and eating sweetpotato ice cream. Both seem to bring ruin and calamity.

The real test will be doing rushhour into Tokyo with heavy luggage. The pushers are going to be having a great time with me.