I Love Clean

There were a lot of wonderful language things that just made you laugh. I am sure my cousin Wendy can offer insight into this but the stereotype about translations into English were pretty true and often very funny. I hope it does not make it seem I am making fun of this. I would have no right to given my destruction of the Japanese language while I was there! Of course your own language is always easier than someone elses! I hope someone out there is blogging about this American who walked up to them at the Port Uno bus station and said "Kudasai" "bas Okyama" "Shenkasen." Which translates: "Please, bus Okayama, bullet train?" To which I was kindly helped to the appropriate bus!

This sign is great, I am not sure you can read the text, if not I will post it again with the verbage but it is a good example of what I am talking about.

There was a brochure that helped you navigate the Naoshima island. Have I emphasized enough how remote this was? We kept joking about how Jimmy was 100% of the Mexican population on the island (no joke, the population was 3600 residents and then tourists) and how I was probably about 85% of the white population. Anyway, still this is a city's official tourist information and there were some humorous portions. The best was right on the cover under the heading NOTICE. These are direct quotes:

-LANGUAGE COPES
There are not many English speakers on Naoshima. THerefore recommended for English speaking visitors take the following precautions. Travel with a japanese speaker. Ask travel agent to make reservation for you. Email Town-Naoshima Tourism Association with further inquiries.

-FOREIGN CURRENCIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE
Currency exchange is unable in Naoshima. Credit cards are available at Benesse House, Chichu Art Museum, and nowhere else.