How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
[…] when it's time to flush, I'm faced with a bunch of buttons with Japanese characters on them. None of them have pictures that I can recognize. I take a guess. Two seconds after I press the middle one, water starts shooting straight up in the air and all over the little room. (53.26)
Corinna's just encountered a bidet, which is a more hygienic alternative to toilet paper. Americans are a little behind on this one. (Get it? Behind? See what we did there?)
Quote #5
I'm worried we won't be able to find her, even with a meeting place, but I never would have guessed that we would stand out as if we were tall basketball players with red hair and blue skin. (54.4)
Fortunately, Corinna and her dad don't have to worry about finding Aiko in Kyoto—just being white Americans makes them easily recognizable.
Quote #6
The floor is covered with straw tatami mats, the kind I saw at the restaurant when I horrified the hostess with my dirty bare feet and at the Ishibashis'. I'm not sure if we're supposed to keep on the slippers or go barefoot this time. Dad and I both look at Aiko's feet for guidance. (54.18)
Corinna learns not to wear sandals on the street because her feet become unacceptably dirty. Japan would be a lot easier if she didn't have to walk or pee.