Orchids, Birkenstocks, and a fancy new Phone

Last night was the first night that Karl and I went out on the town.  After applying for my　がいじん　カ-ド　(Gaijin Card of foreigner card) we hopped on a train and headed to かわごえ（川越）or Kawagoe。　This city is about a 45 minute train ride from おがわまち（小川町）（Ogawa Machi, which we found out yesterday means brook town. Brook as in river.)

We were heading to かわごえ　to pick up our new cell phones.  The way it works here with cell phones is you go sign the contract with your はんこ　(hanko stamp).  Karl was given a はんこ、so he signed that contract and then we had to wait a while for the people there to set up the cell phones with the server.

This is a shot of the shopping area in 川越。

Since we had some time to kill we decided to stroll along the shopping district where we were. 

Earlier that evening I had made an observation.  What I noticed was that Birkenstock shoes are extremely popular in Japan.  Karl and I decided to keep out eyes open for them just to note the price comparison.  Well, we walked by a shoe store and there they were.  The cutest sandals. They were 53% off the regular price of 1100円 (approximately, which is comparable.)  Anyway, so they were on sale for the equivalent of about $60.  I tried some on...they magically fit...Karl bought them for me! :)

Yay! :) 

After the Birkenstock adventure we continued on to a darling little flower shop.  We wandered our way through the sweet smelling blooms to the back of the shop where I found these beauties. I would have bought them all and shipped them home to my darlings Rachel and Yvette if I could have! Take a look...

Aren't they lovely!? And yes, they are all the real deal.

When we were done gazing at the gorgeous flowers we meandered our way to a place to eat.  Karl took me to a すし(sushi) place.  It was very fun!  You didn't order your food at this type of すし bar. Instead, there was a tiny little conveyor belt going around in front of all the customers.  We were seated in a horseshoe shape.  So the conveyor belt went by everyone then back to the kitchen were the cooks put more すしon it.

So the way it works is the plates are color coordinated to a certain price and the examples are displayed on the wall so you know how much each thing costs.  When you see something you like pass by, you simply grab it and chow down! As you eat, you stack up your plates and when you are finished one of the workers comes over and counts the plates and then you pay accordingly.  What a neat system!

After our すし bar adventuring we strolled around some more until we decided we weren't quite full.  We popped into a cute little place that had pictures of amazing looking dumplings outside.  We were right! The dumplings were to die for!  おいしいです！(Oishii desu!) They were delicious. 

We wandered out way back to the cell phone shop, e-Boom! Yes, that is really what it is called. The cell phones were almost done! I was amazed at how fancy the phones are.  Usually, cell phones will cost around $1000.  That is correct. A grand. Before your jaw drops to the floor, let me tell you that Karl worked with a friend and found a deal.  :) We got them for free with our plan (which is not a bad price.)

Pretty fancy, eh? As you might have guessed, the prices are so high because of the fact that this also happens to be a 12.2 mega pixel camera.  Holy smokes. It is also a mini computer, television and oh yes...a phone.  Karl has a dark purple one and mine is teal as you see here. How fun!

さようなら！