Taking the train

We had been planning to take a trip to Umeda, Osaka all week.  It was to be this great adventure as 1. it would be all aboard a train and 2. it was seeing something new.  Alexander was so excited to take his first train ride, but was also exhausted from his first week at school.  I am so impressed by how my little man has grown and is constantly improving.  

We arrived at our local station around 10, but ended up spending 25mins trying to figure out how to buy tickets. We managed to get on the train, all a bit weary.  The trip was around twenty minutes, it could have been longer, or shorter for that matter.  There were loads of stops and people getting on and off and it was really quiet.  Alexander and BeBe always get some attention from strangers, but this was even done in hushed tones. It freaks me out, the quieter the surroundings the more I shush my children who probably don't need quite so much shushing. 

I'm making it sound bad, but it wasn't.  The trip was peaceful and exciting! The station at Umeda, on the other hand was a complete shock.  For whatever reason we thought Umeda would be like a bigger Ikeda, but it wasn't.  Umeda station is huge and bustling and full to the seams of people bustling to and fro.  

Stepping out the doors of the station was awe inspiring.  We're not quite country bumpkins, but our love for cities is not that great.  Umeda is lots of tall buildings and malls of 9-15 floors.  There were a millions restaurants and clothing stores and we found it completely overwhelming.  It's not very child friendly.  We were flabbergasted at the amount of shopping that happens for things and clothing and cutsie stuff.  

The trip home was quick and we were delighted to get back to our little 'town.'  We'd told Alexander we'd buy him shoes while still in Umeda at the Hankyu Mall.  Everything there was beyond what we're prepared to spend (designer labels for kids).  We decided we'd still buy him shoes and a donut to compensate for the craziness of the day.  We were blessed to find shoes for 300yen (as opposed to 3, 990 yen.)  

Please excuse the writing, I'm tired my feet are numb from pain, my hands are throbbling (they've cracked from the cold and I sliced the tip off my thumb nail into the bed) and my brain is fuzzy.  This will be one of those post I'll read later and wonder what I was doing.  

 

I  was really not enjoying my day or Japan for that matter when we decided on MacDonald's for lunch.  Generally I hate MacDonald's but today is was an oasis.  While sitting there Alexander accidently dropped an entire cup of coffee on the floor.  The lady who cleaned the floor was so sweet and kind,she even gave us another cup.  

I am so tired.  I keep yawning and every time I type I have to read over it to make sure it makes sense.  I should write this tomorrow.  One last attempt: we had taken Alexander to the only place that seemed available to kids, a games arcade.  Alexander came very close to winning a huge stack of chocolate.  We left the our audience with an advantage.  While at MacD's two girls came up to us holding two bags of chocolates. The girls had been in our auidience and had won. They decided to give a pack to each of the littlies.  So sweet!

Ok I have to go to bed-i'm swaying as I type.  Please excuse all typos, and bad writing.

Much love 

Philippa