Modern Technology

Last Sunday I picked up a 2001, Toshiba microwave/oven from a nice Thai woman living about 20km away from me. Sanami, my girlfriend, gave a reaction on par with congratulating a student for getting their high school deploma. It's good, but not very special since nearly everybody has one.

I on the otherhand disagree, believing it is simply amazing! I'm sure more people would side with Sanami, so let me clarify exactly why I am amazed.

1) I traveled the entire distance without a personal vehicle. I used only trains, my feet, and a cardboard box strapped to a compact hand-cart. Sure it took about 2 hours total, but that is nothing compared to the time required if I walked the whole distance (40km).

2) Having a microwave that IS ALSO a convection oven is wonderful! I can now bake cookies, pies, or lazagna if I so please. Since there was no need to have a fancy microwave back in America, I feel spoiled. However, these types of microwaves are common in Japan since most people don't have stoves.
Japanese cooking has traditionally been over heat (rice, soups, noodles, grilled fish, etc.), not in heat (breads, roasts, cookies, etc.)

3) It was only $30! In the photo you can see a Japanese toaster oven (above) and the microwave/oven (bellow). New, the toaster cost $30, and the microwave/oven would cost $120.