Day 4 - Disney

Today was the day Sarah had been waiting for: the magical trip to Disney. Using our handy discounted (illegitimate) tickets, we got on the monorail bound for Disney Sea, where ocean breezes would cool us for the rest of the day.

We went on most of the big rides and, accidentally, one educational rollercoaster voiced entirely in Japanese. All seemed relatively normal and familiar from previous Disney trips. However, during one break from the tiring heat of the day, while enjoying some surprisingly good coconut popcorn, we were descended upon by some seemingly insane women. One started off by asking if Helen was in pain, then promptly deciding that we were Americans. Then the other crouched down and started making odd hand gestures around Helen's leg, while muttering to her friend in Japanese and saying the word 'power' over and over again.

We took this time to try and figure out if a) they were going to cause us any harm, or b) try to charge us money. Since neither seemed to be happening, Helen continued to sit still and nod uncomfortably whenever anything was said. After another attempt to speak to us in Japanese and failing, she seemed to be finished and Helen thanked her for whatever had just happened.

Thinking it was over, we started eating the popcorn again, but the woman had other ideas and proceeded to crouch down and do the same to one of Sarah's legs as well. After a few more minutes she again seemed satisfied and moved on to a family on another bench who, it has to be said, seemed much less confused and rather pleased after she had talked to them. Inevitably we've missed out on some great cultural experience, but at the time it was a little too bizare and we left the area as soon as possible.

We watched a fireworks show over the water in the evening and then got on the train home. Our conversation led to the purchase of a bottle of 'Pocari Sweat', for a taste of japanese soft drinks. Advertised as having properties 'close to that of human body fluid', the experience was not nearly as unpleasant (or as salty) as you might imagine, although Pepsi and orange juice are likely to remain our drinks of choice.

Tomorrow we get on our first shinkansen (bullet train) and visit Hakone.