Saturday in Shimosuwa - by Kelly

We took it slow on Saturday morning, and by the time we were showered and headed out to find some breakfast, it was called "lunch" :)  Then we walked up the street to the bike shop, to ask if they would rent me a bike for the duration of my stay.  Fortunately, Traci knew a few key words, like "rental" and "week", and soon the smiling man was asking us to please wait.  A little while later, we saw him wheeling a bike around front and airing up the tires.  Now I have an older blue mamachari-style one-speed, complete with large front basket, headlight, and front wheel lock, for only $3/day!

On the way back, we stopped by the "Dollar Tree", ok it's really the 100yen store called "Daiso", and did some shopping.  Traci had told me they have EVERYTHING there, and she was right!  I found a camera case and a rain cover for my bike seat at home, and Traci got some household items, and a case for her hanko stamp.  A hanko is used in place of a signature on documents.

Traci had asked Phil (her neighbor and co-worker) if he would have time to drive us to the local department store - the Aeon mall - to get another floor chair and futon.  He did (thank you Phil!) and we drove past the lake and a few blocks to the store, in his little Suzuki box-style vehicle--reminds me of a Kia soul.  Since he is Australian, he is used to driving on the left side of the street.

At the store, Traci picked out a thicker futon than the one she's been using, and a cover sheet for it.  She also bought a high back floor chair that has an adjustable back and lumbar support.  It's really nice because it is tall enough to support shoulders and neck.  I was so sleepy Saturday night, that I dozed off sitting up in that chair. lol  When I came to, Traci was glaring at me. <_<

Around sunset, 6 pm, we rode our bikes to the lake.  It had been a beautiful, warm, sunny day with little wind :)  Down by the lake, it was gustier, as you will see in the pictures.  But it was really, really nice.  I would have sat there all evening, but we were on the way to the grocery store to buy dinner, and future meals.  It was dark on the way back from the store, and we bought too many groceries to fit it all in our bike baskets, so Traci bravely carried one bag while riding.  (I'm used to stocking up, lol)  Some streets are not well lit, and the sidewalks, curbs, gratings, etc, are not smooth, so I have found that I better watch closely if I want to stay on my bike!

We picked out some ready-made food for dinner - some huge shumai, which are like a soft sausage/veg ball halfway wrapped with a thin wonton wrapper--and gratin.  Traci had shrimp and I had vegetable, it had macaroni, meat or vegetable, and cheesy sauce.  We were too tired to cook, even though I had figured out the mysteries of her gas stove.  This morning I made scrambled eggs (Traci made the toast in the skillet).  The "fish oven" reminds me of a toaster oven, and I hope to play with it one day soon.

The town has speakers mounted all around, and they play music at 6 am, 12 noon, and 6pm.  A different tune for each time of day, and we have been told the songs change from season to season.  I wish I hadn't been awake to hear the one at 6am, but it is pretty.