Interesting Day

Today makes me happy I'm in Japan. After an early morning swim in the Westin hotel's 20m lap pool, I took the hotel shuttle to Kyoto station to do errands; one was to redeem the 21-day JR Pass I purchased online while in Colorado. This pass allows me to ride the JR trains anywhere in Japan as often as I want for 21 days; foreigners get a steep discount if they purchase online before entering Japan; not available once you enter country. Anyway, I redeemed my receipt and got my pass and then ate a snack at a local bakery; however, when I returned to the hotel I discovered that I'd lost my JR pass!  After checking with the hotel to see if the shuttle driver found it, i returned to Kyoto station via the shuttle (again). I checked with the JR office where I got my pass but they said it could not be replaced. So for the heck of it I returned the little bakery where I'd eaten about an hour ago and to my surprise, a customer had found the little plastic bag containing my pass and turned it in!  Couldn't believe my luck but it gets better:) 

I then got an email from the hotel telling me I'd left my wallet in the room safe and housekeeping turned it in; it contained $1400, my debit card! 

When I returned to the hotel to collect my wallet I offered a reward to the housekeeper but as tips and rewards are not customary in Japan (honesty and hard work are just a way of life), my offer was not excepted ( despite repeated attempts). Rather than offend I left a gift for the housekeeper which was accepted. Luckily, I brought some gold plated aspen leaves from Colorado to give as gifts on occasions like this.

What a country! Or maybe I should say what a culture! The Japanese people. Are the reason I decided to spend more time in Japan than any other country on my trip; I could see myself living here:)

If after reading this you worry I'm losing it don't be, I'm obviously in good hands:)

Entry to Westin; this and other western hotels I've stayed are a bit too fancy for me but they are nice when I want to swim or need to wash clothes (sink or bathtub method:), or I just need help from someone who speaks English.