(3) You’ve got me there, although by way of self-defense (a) my boots serve a purpose as my only rain boots, (b) they are more comfy than regular wellies, and (c) they call less attention to themselves than you might suspect from their description.

(5) Americans buy hamburgers in France. Germans drink beer in the US. Australians carry their vegemite along. Brits mail-order HP sauce. Swiss people get a hankerin’ for a panky. And a Panky ain’t bad, considering.

(2) Natsukashii – we experienced the “black van” when we visited our favorite JET. From what we were told, it wouldn’t do much good for them to broadcast in English, as it is all foreigners they rail against, not such English-speaking ones. In fact, I think it was the Koreans who were the primary targets at that time.

(3) Um, let me see here. You talk about buying (and wearing) boots that make you look like a frog, then in the next paragraph complain about other people’s weird clothing?

(4) My nephews used to have guinea pigs and trying to imagine taking them for a walk is beyond my powers.

(5) You, a Swiss, bought chocolate in Japan? Success with the cheese and bread (amazing enough) must have gone to your head.