June 17th - last

Everyone is so stuffed from lunch that dinner doesn't seem like such a necessity. We take a walk along the river bank and look at the little restaurants on the other side with their lights and evening diners. There is a blue heron looking for his dinner and other people who also think this walk is lovely. Finding a place to have a drink seems like a good idea and we come back up the shop level and begin our search. Many of the restaurants are just a doorway into a long, peaceful walkway leading to a door. We decide later that these are either very expensive restaurants or teahouses with geishas. At any rate, they are out of our price range! Eventually Nick finds one that he thinks will do.

It is right on the river and we are seated outside. Everyone else is Japanese and the staff speaks no English. The menu has English on it, though, so we're home free - ish. Ginger and BEtsy have Kirin, I have a Harvey Wallbanger! When's the last time you heard that name? And Nick has ginger ale "with sugar. That might mean "not diet" or who knows what! It is good when it comes, happily! We order a four-cheese pizza - okay, it's not Japanese but it's really good and no one is really hungry.

While we're waiting for our order, the girls at the table next to us are taking turns taking pictures of one another, so I offer to take one of them all. More giggling! They are tickled and offer to reciprocate and even work up the nerve to ask where we're from. They are very pleased with themselves and we all giggle more than might seem necessary. I'd forgotten how powerful Harvey can be!

Home and to bed!!