Japan Trip, Day 6

sunrise – 20 jun 2008

Chloe woke this morning still feeling under the weather. (I woke first at 4:30am; Rob thought my typing was raindrops — it has not rained since we’ve been here.) Speaking of weather, there were reports of a typhoon (that’s a Pacific cyclone, as opposed to an Atlantic one which we know as a hurricane) coming this way. Thankfully, it looks like it has veered away, according to the Japan Meterological Agency.

toilet – 20 jun 2008

We went down to breakfast at 6:30am. I had some fried kelp, well, until I came across the fish in it. Food in Japan is difficult for those of us that don’t eat seafood!!! I continued with the miso soup, unsure if I was supposed to scoop the mushrooms out of the bottom or not. Chloe at fruit, cucumbers, and a fried egg (all but the yolk). We will miss these eclectic breakfasts, I am sure!

beach – 20 jun 2008

After eating, we rambled down the beach. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE my Keene sandals? I got them in black in a nice style for NYC. I can wear them to dinner, on the beach, rock scrambling, and more. They are the perfect shoes. They even can get tossed in the washing machine!

tracks – 20 jun 2008

On the beach, we saw tons of “tire tracks”. I though they looked like “scuttle marks” and bet they are from the proliferous hermit crabs (Chloe still wants one). We saw lots of neat shells, crab parts and beach glass. Back at the room, Chloe watched Sesame Street (again, a show she NEVER sees at home, but has fallen in love with). After Rob left, Chloe took a long nap.

When she woke, her fever was back up, so we headed down to the “marche”. On the way, she said “Konnichi wa” to the housekeeping person, who almost fell over from amazement. “Ego-ga wakarimasu ka?” I asked the person at the marche. Nope. I pointed a Chloe’s forehead and said “Hatsunetsu” (means fever, I think). The employee suggested I go to the front desk. Again, I repeated my story. The employee started speaking to me in Japanese “Sumimasen, nihongo ga wakarimasen.” She went to find someone else, who pulled out some medicine. He asked if I wanted the hospital or doctor. No, just some Children’s Tylenol. Not happening. From what I have read, the Japanese don’t give medicine for anything. Admirable, but when we are away form home, I would like to make my baby more comfortable.

He pulled out some Japanese children’s medicine (only recognizable because of the cartoonish packaging) and asked me Chloe’s age. He handed me three shrink wrapped pills. I asked where I could buy more, but he said no, if I needed more, he would give them to me. Okay. Looking into the “drugs” we see that according to the US Embassy:

Specifically, products that contain stimulants (medicines that contain Pseudoephedrine, such as Actifed, Sudafed, and Vicks inhalers), or Codeine are prohibited.

We then walked the half-block down to the Family Mart, since they have sliced bread. Chloe picked out some OJ and a jello fruit cocktail. I again paid with change. The lady told me it was wrong, but, no, it was right. Like in the states, I think cashiers are not used to people trying to pay with change for an uneven amount — I prefer to get back as little small change as possible, even if it is some. So I’ll give a dollar and a dime when something is 85 cents. Confusing?

shisa – 20 jun 2008

>We noticed that the Family Mart even has shisa sitting on the roof. How cool is that. I am buying a few pairs before we leave here, even if I have to pay the exorbitant hotel souvenir shop prices. After being stuck in the room for a couple days with a sick kid, I’m ready to treat myself to something

Rob came home early and took Camille swimming. I played 3D Tetris (my only game addiction) until Wheel of Fortune came on (Oprah was too graphic for Chloe today — what an amazing summary of American TV the kids are getting here in Okinawa!). Rob and Camille got some pizza for take out. I had Rob buy sake so we could try it, but I thought it tasted like dirty socks.

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