I'm learning a lot about life in Japan, but I'm also doing some embarrassing things by mistake. In the ryokan, you take off your shoes before you go in the house so that the floor doesn't get dirty. You leave your shoes outside the door. On my first day, I took off my shoes, but I did it in my bedroom. I walked through the house first, and I got the floor dirty. How embarrassing. I hope Mr. and Mrs. ito weren't disgusted with me. But they are nice and very friendly, and now I remember to take off my shoes before I come in the house.