Bangalore - Taco Bell

Here are a few pictures from the first Taco Bell in India. Its a couple hours away, across on the other side of Bangalore from where I live, in a mall. The mall is said to be the biggest in India. Its definitely bigger than any I've been to in India, but its not big by US standards. Its maybe a 1/3 the size of the Glendale Galleria. Its maybe 1/100th the size of any mall in Singapore. Its filled with all the same shops as the other malls here, but there is also a Lifestyle ( Indian department store chain ), a Spar (German food store chain), a movie theater (INOX), a bar (which made a pretty passable mojito), 2 KFCs, and of course the Taco Bell.
The Taco Bell was hot and smelly, and had a bit of a mob vibe going on inside. For those readers that haven't been actively following all of the news stories of this restaurant opening, this is not only the first Taco Bell in India but the first place to offer free refills on soft drinks. "Free" doesn't work very well in India. "Free" quickly devolves into "crazed hoarding". Hence the "action shot" by the drink machine. Lots of pushing and shoving. Its obvious that the restaurant expected large crowds and attempted to institute a queuing system; you are to wait in one line for ordering, then digital readouts on the wall display the number of the order ready for pickup. You are then supposed to go to a separate window to pick up your order. Well, this isn't working. "Queuing", or for my American friends, "waiting in line", doesn't work very well in India either. It quickly devolves into a pushing mass crowded around the counter doing whatever possible to get served before anyone else, regardless of who was there first. This was the scene around the window where you are supposed to walk up to when your number comes up. The numbers have been summarily dismissed, and the person to get his tacos is the person that can shove his way to the counter and wave his receipt in the person's face the best.
The menu is quite limited compared to the US menu, and all of the items have been "Indianized" to some degree. The least Indianized I'd say is the bean burrito. Its a pretty authentic tasting tortilla with pretty authentic tasting refried beans - both items rare to the point of non existent in India, so kudos to them for getting a way to source them. The hot sauce is different, though, its spicier than the US version, and a hint of Indian spices. "Nachos" are just the chips, no cheese, and there are quite a few paneer items on the menu.
The restaurant was pretty clean considering how busy it was - I've definitely been to dirtier Taco Bells in the US. The kitchen was clean too - you could see it through the window where you pick up your order.

Narita - Hard Rock Cafe

Before the sad flight back, I stopped by the Hard Rock in Narita (where the airport is, about an hour north of Tokyo). Its probably the lamest Hard Rock ever, in a mall, small, playing 80's music, super expensive, and closed at 11pm on a weekend night.

Japan - midwest US chains strangely prevalent

I saw several Mr. Donuts, a couple Shakey's. Huh.

Japan - Osaka at Night

Osaka is a big port city just 45 minutes or so south of Kyoto by local train, about 10 minutes by bullet train. I went just for the evening, walked around, had some great sushi. Lots of neon.

Kyoto - Temples

Kyoto is a couple hours southwest of Tokyo by bullet train. Is just a smaller city, kind of grid-like. There is a subway system, but only two lines, one running north-south, the other east-west. Most travel is done by city bus. The buses were confusing at first as they involve a complex queuing system for waiting for the bus, entering the bus, and exiting the bus. And the buses were way too overheated. It was cold as hell out, and the buses had the heaters blasting so hot it must have been at least 80 F . Miserable.
The interesting part of Kyoto is that on the outskirts of the city are temples in large, well landscaped parks.

Japan - Pocari Sweat

The Japanese are ahead of us in many ways. Amazingly, they have apparently not only figured out how to trap the elusive Pocari, but also a technique to capture its sweat in enough quantity to offer 600 ml bottles of it in every vending machine.

Japan - Nikko

Nikko is in the mountains, a couple hours northwest of Tokyo by Shinkansen (the bullet train). I got a late start, and then missed the connection stop on the train because I fell asleep, so by the time I got to Nikko things were already starting to close up. But I walked around. It was cold, the buildings were pretty cool. Parts were a little like a Ninja village probably is, except of course you couldn't see the ninjas as they are invisible.

Tokyo - Bear Claw!

Some who know me well may know of my love for, and preternatural skill at, bear claw. Well, all over Tokyo there are vast arcades full of nothing but bear claw machines. You can play bear claw for everything from the usual stuffedd animals, to jewelry, to toys, even, as in this video, groceries. The Tokyoians were amazed by my bear claw prowess as I pulled Ritz cracker box after Ritz cracker box out of the machine, seemingly at will. (A total lie).

Tokyo - Shibuya Station

Crossing the street in the most populous city in the world is a bit different than most places.

Tokyo - Asakusa

Asakusa is north east of central Tokyo, just east of Ueno, where the Tokyo zoo is (which I unfortunately did not get to - way too much to do in Tokyo in just 6 days). Its a big park with a temple and an old pagoda in it, and lots of Asian tourists. The park was cool though.

Tokyo - Shinjuku at night

Shinjuku was one of my favorite wards. Lots of neon, the Kabuki area, an amazing sushi bar in an alley, Uogi Sushi, and tons of people (of course). I saw a pack of lolita goths finally, but didn't have my camera out, sorry.