As I left the airport heading towards the bus that would take me to Kansai Gaidai, I had noticed a handful of vending machines, nothing too out of the norm.  I then begin to head towards the school and noticed more and more.  When I got to the Seminar house that I would be living in for the next four months, I quickly realized these machines are everywhere!  That evening I got bored quickly so I decided to go for a stroll through the park that is conveniently located directly across the street from the Seminar house.  I saw another cluster of vending machines so I walked over for further investigation.  This is the point when all of my stereotypical assumptions of what these machines vend were completely shattered.  BEER! I didn’t even know this was possible, sure I have used my fair share of vending machines, but beer?  I start thinking to myself, “Is this real life? This is just too convenient.  Did they know I was coming or something?”  I’ve had my doubts in the past, but I now am a true believer of love at first sight.
           The next morning I was equally shocked when I walked into the bathroom.  After one look at the toilet I was slightly overwhelmed with confusion and curiosity.  What are all of these buttons and why is the toilet plugged in to the wall?  This contraption has heated seats, music notes on buttons that make flushing noises, and, well, some other handy devices.  I mean, I’m a small town boy.  I grew up with sheep, pigs, horses, etc.  I must say, never did I think the day would come that my morning routine would involve shitting on a computer.  The toilet is electronic!  I knew the Japanese were some technologically advanced people, but a high-tech toilet?  I didn’t see that one coming.