I’ve just updated the [Roots and Grubs Holiday Emporium](http://astore.amazon.com/mamstesgrubshack) with tons of new stuff in every category, plus a new Japan category to go with the new theme around here. Even if you’re not planning your own trip to Japan, check it out: there were many great new Japanese cookbooks this year, and that’s where you’ll find them. Happy shopping.

I’ve now had four weeks of Japanese class, and I am stunned. After a few hours of study, I can say hundreds of things in Japanese. I can say, “I eat sushi in Tokyo.” I can say, “This is my book.” I can say, “I speak a little Japanese.”

So here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to get to Tokyo, and I will say confidently, “I am Matthew and this is Iris. We’re from Seattle. Where do you think we should have dinner?” And then I’ll find the response totally incomprehensible.

There are [people out there](http://www.travelerscenturyclub.org/) on a quest to visit every country in the world, or at least a hundred of them. World travel is the passport to understanding, after all, plus it proves that you are wealthier and more cultured than your friends. (Also, they cheat by considering Prince Edward Island and Greenland independent countries, and by making shit up like “Lampedusa” and “Srpska” which obviously don’t exist.)

When I was [calling Japan](https://www.rootsandgrubs.com/2009/11/06/notice-anything-different-around-here/) the other night, it occurred to me that there someone could take on a cheap and modern version of this quixotic pursuit by attempting to *call* every country in the world, or reach someone there by IM.

Feel free to take this idea and run with it. I’m too busy. I need to catch a flight to Lampedusa.

(If you’re reading the RSS feed, probably not! Check the site. And if the new design breaks anything, let me know, okay? Thanks.)

Okay, we’re not actually in Japan yet, but Iris and I are spending spring break in Tokyo, and I’d like to tell you all about what we’re doing to get ready for the trip, and also solicit your ideas and requests, whether you’ve been there or not.

Let’s kick it off with a brief story.

Last night I was trying to book a one-day side trip from Tokyo to Kyoto through a Japan-based travel agency, and I kept getting an error message. “I think I’m going to have to call Japan,” I said. Laurie and Iris looked interested. I dialed the number on the site and used the most useful Japanese phrase I’ve learned thus far: *Anata wa eigo hanashimasu ka?* Do you speak English? A very helpful woman explained that my credit card had been declined.

I smelled fraud prevention, so I called Chase. A very unhelpful woman explained that they couldn’t pull up my account because of a computer problem. “Let me take your number and call you back,” she said. I gave her my number. “When may I expect to hear from you?” I asked.

“Any time after this conversation,” she said.

“No, I mean, will you call back tonight? Tomorrow? Next week?”

“Any time after this conversation.”

“Uhhh, OK.” Then she hung up.

“It’s easier to call Tokyo than the credit card company,” said Iris.

“Five bucks says they never call back,” I said. But I was wrong. They called Laurie this morning. At work.

Anyway, problem solved, and we’re going to ride the [shinkansen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen), baby! I can taste the [ekiben](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekiben) already.

**Update:** I was wrong: they called Laurie at work LAST NIGHT at 8:30pm.

The chapter “Picky-Picky” from _Hungry Monkey_ has been selected for [Best Food Writing 2009](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738213691/?tag=mamstesgrubshack), which is available now. Makes a great gift.

You know, after the first four times I was selected for Best Food Writing, I thought it might be a fluke, but now I’m convinced that I’m pretty good.

This year’s collection also features many of my friends, who are *really* good, including Francis Lam, Kim Severson, Molly Wizenberg, Bethany Jean Clement, and Steven Shaw.