Tuesday: Shopping in Matsumoto

Shortly after finishing my last post, we jumped on our bikes and pedaled for the train station.  Traci is now a pro at using the ticket machines, so it only took a minute to pay our $5 fare to Matsumoto on the local train. While we were waiting for the train, we saw Traci's next-door neighbor, Justin, coming to catch the same train.  He is also from the US, and it was really nice to meet him.

Some of the trains only take about 35 minutes from Shimosuwa to Matsumoto, but the others sit for about 10 at a couple of the stations, so it can take closer to an hour.  Traci has the train times written down for the faster trip, so we made sure to catch those trains.  See below pics of me in front of Matsumoto train station, and one of some downtown buildings with billboards.  The Japanese do love their big, colorful (and often noisy) ads.

It was cloudy today, and I felt a few sprinkles this afternoon, but it wasn't chilly.  The clouds obscured any view of snowy alps, but maybe later this week I'll see them.  We went to a big book store, an anime store, and a mall with clothing, kitchen goods, and a 100 yen store.  For lunch we headed back to the station to Mos Burger.  No, they're not green.  Traci and I both had the katsu (pork cutlet) burger, dressed with finely shredded cabbage and BBQ sauce.  It brought back great memories of our trip here last summer.  In July, we arrived in Matsumoto in the pouring rain (and summer heat) dropped our luggage at the hotel, then had lunch at Mos Burger. I prefer today's weather!

After lunch we shopped at a tourist shop in the station, picked up a cold beverage (I had a tea latte which was yummy) then headed out to the platform to catch our train home. The route winds through steep hills and finally through a long tunnel before emerging at Okaya, and then Shimosuwa.  Every where I look, there is gorgeous scenery here! 

On Monday night, while we were at the lake, Traci took some pictures.  I'm posting one here that shows some city lights across the water.

After dinner it was raining pretty solidly, but we wanted to head for 7-11 to pick up some breakfast food - eggs, rice ball :), and coffee, so we zipped up our raincoats, turned on our bike headlights, and headed out.  It was fun!

Traci has to work tomorrow, so I have my to-do list ready: shop at the 100 yen store for little things I want, and a few that Traci needs; cook up some pork/vegetable curry and rice for dinner; investigate the mysteries of the "fish oven"; walk to a different store to look for a regular broom.  It's supposed to rain tomorrow, then clear up and warm up for the next few days.  Traci has a 5-day weekend starting Friday, so we hope to do outdoor activities then.