Blue Parrot Bookstore, a Playgroup and More
Bingo! Keno! I hit the jackpot. (okay in my life as a dork, I've hit the dorkish jackpot). A Japanese friend mentioned an English used bookstore only a couple of train stops from our hotel. So of course I looked it up as soon as I could and set off to find the place.
Sure enough, you can buy, sell and trade English books which is wonderful considering the Nicholas Sparks book I purchased brand new last week was 1,209 yen (over $11). Although still a bit on the expensive side (I like my bargain books at Goodwill), I got a great deal by Japanese standards. I spent 2700 yen and got a book on Japan, a book on Tokyo and four paperpacks for me (including Memoirs of a Geisha which I've picked up to read again, after seeing the movie).


Speaking of Memoirs of a Geisha, have you seen the movie? I'm trying to talk Taka into going to Kyoto, and then to the Gion district, at some point while we are here. I know the area is nothing like it used to be, or how it is portrayed in the book/movie, but what fun to actually see the place Sayuri speaks of!
On the way out of the JR area of Shinjuku Station, we always smell the most delicious aromas. Then, you round the corner and see this great little bakery/pastry shop as you walk by. Andrew and I snuck a peek in there and my did it look yummy!


Lastly, we attended a third playgroup yesterday evening, one stop away from Shinjuku, in Yoyogi. We met up with our new friend from Tuesday's playgroup and her Andrew-look-alike daughter! I snapped a cute picture of them playing in the tatami room (the flooring is made out of what's called tatami mats). We had a snack, sang songs (in Japanese and English) and even heard a Curious George story (at which point Andrew curled up in my lap and fell asleep, so these are the only shots of playgroup I got)!



Sure enough, you can buy, sell and trade English books which is wonderful considering the Nicholas Sparks book I purchased brand new last week was 1,209 yen (over $11). Although still a bit on the expensive side (I like my bargain books at Goodwill), I got a great deal by Japanese standards. I spent 2700 yen and got a book on Japan, a book on Tokyo and four paperpacks for me (including Memoirs of a Geisha which I've picked up to read again, after seeing the movie).


Speaking of Memoirs of a Geisha, have you seen the movie? I'm trying to talk Taka into going to Kyoto, and then to the Gion district, at some point while we are here. I know the area is nothing like it used to be, or how it is portrayed in the book/movie, but what fun to actually see the place Sayuri speaks of!
On the way out of the JR area of Shinjuku Station, we always smell the most delicious aromas. Then, you round the corner and see this great little bakery/pastry shop as you walk by. Andrew and I snuck a peek in there and my did it look yummy!


Lastly, we attended a third playgroup yesterday evening, one stop away from Shinjuku, in Yoyogi. We met up with our new friend from Tuesday's playgroup and her Andrew-look-alike daughter! I snapped a cute picture of them playing in the tatami room (the flooring is made out of what's called tatami mats). We had a snack, sang songs (in Japanese and English) and even heard a Curious George story (at which point Andrew curled up in my lap and fell asleep, so these are the only shots of playgroup I got)!



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