Today we went to drop of the kids at the kindergarten. We took the bus again, which is cheap, just 200 yen per person! But it does take longer than the train. The big advantage is that the bus stops are very close to our starting and ending destinations. The walk from the bus stop to the kindergarten is about 10 minutes, and includes a shortcut past a nice vegetable garden and a secret passageway. After we dropped of the kids, Mariko and I went to another coffee shop for their breakfast sets. Before that, we stopped at a convenience store to pick up some magazines to read. I took some photos in the store, and as we were leaving, the manager asked us what we were going to use the photos for. Mariko just said, “He’s from overseas and thinks all of this is interesting.” Then the manager said, “Ok. Have a nice remainder of your trip.”
Today’s coffee shop wasn’t as nice as yesterday’s, but it was still good. The only problem was that one of the regulars there was chain smoking, so Mariko started feeling a little sick. They did have some magazines, even some “men’s” magazines, with articles and photos aimed at the males of the population. Nothing like looking at pictures of naked ladies while eating breakfast in a coffee shop!
After we finished there, we went back to the kindergarten and saw that they were having an assembly in the big auditorium. All the teachers and some office staff were singing and playing instruments for the kids. It was really neat! And when each class got up to leave, we saw that Koa was holding hands with one of the girls. It was so funny! Back at the classrooms, the kids said their farewells to Koa and Bay. It was so great that the kindergarten would let our kids attend their class for a few days. We thanked the vice principal of the school, then decided to head home and have a nice rest and a drink before heading out again for dinner.
At around 2pm, I got really tired and crashed out on the tatami, and put my glasses on the floor next to me. Unfortunately, Koa came in a little while later and stepped on them, snapping them in half at the bridge. Mariko and I had actually discussed a few weeks ago about getting new glasses in Japan, since it was much cheaper, faster, and you don’t need a prescription. So we left home a little early and went to the glasses store in Yodobashi Camera. I found a nice pair of frames for about 5,900 yen, exam included. Unfortunately, my vision is a bit strange, so my lenses would take a week. Mariko’s lenses would be done in an hour, though. The eye exam was quick, and it is so nice not to have to deal with insurance!
After Yodobashi, we met Mariko’s mom at Umeda and then went to a nearby yakiniku place for some grilled beef, pork, and vegetables. It was all really good, although Bay got very tired and took a snooze. After stuffing ourselves with good food and a few draft beers, we took a taxi back home for a good night’s sleep.