Japan is pretty much the Anti-Mexico. It's so humid here, I'm sure cacti would explode if they grew here naturally.

This maize is free for people to take home and cook. If you visit the Expo, make sure you grab one as a souvenir too!

This is just a simple illuminated stream, but it looks groovy!

And of course, the main reason that I visited the pavillion: Mexican food!

Chicken Tacos (¥1200), Corona Beer (¥500), and it was delicious!
(I sure hope this money goes to feed poor people in Central America, or something.)

And a real strawberry marguerita. I haven't had one of these in Japan, ever!

This is in the Indian Pavillion, which smelled great!

Mongolia here.

The streets were beautiful and silent...

Yes, one dictatorship wasn't enough for me; I had to go and visit another.
But I didn't go to China. China is right out.

For people who shun pork, they sure do like their ribs...

This certainly was beautiful and eye-catching. Imagine the damage a loose cat could do...

And finally, weary after two days of walking and standing, I trodded to the main exit. "But first, I'd better nip into the souvenir shop to pick up a few things for my students."
Hah!
It was pandemonium inside, packed like a Tokyo subway. THEN, we queued up again outside for 40 minutes in a line for the cash registers! I was laughing in disbelief all the way through.

Whoever planned the Expo to be in Japan certainly was business-savvy. With the "omiyage" culture of Japan, the Expo organizers definitely had a captive audience of people buying souvenirs out of social obligation... myself included!