Byouin to Byouki.

We went to Tachikawa on Monday because Obaachan had a doctor's appointment. Because Hitoshiojichan doesn't have a car, we had to catch the train. It's a cheap ride-- only ¥160 each way, but we had to walk to the station, which is about a 20 minute walk for poor Obaachan. She's a real trooper, though, walking the whole way, a cane in one hand and Hitoshiojichan steadying her other arm. I was amazed and saddened at the same time; she's so old and frail but can walk for hours, but at the same time it is sad that she has to walk at all. From Tachikawa station, we took a taxi to the hospital to save time walking there.

The hospital was a truly depressing place. It was as modern, clean, and friendly as a hospital could be, but there were so many extremely old people there that I couldn't help but think about my own future, and that of my parents and family. Old women wheeled their even older mothers around in wheelchairs; old men pulled their old wives around by their hands, shuffling as fast as their ancient limbs could carry them. I did not enjoy being there. At least they had complimentary tea in the main lobby.

When we left, we walked the whole way back to the station. About halfway, Obaachan needed to rest, so we stopped at WINS Tachikawa-- a horse race betting location. It was for the most part empty, so while she rested Mom and I strolled around and looked at the massive amounts of betting machines. We could only imagine how busy it must be while races are in session.

We stopped at a noodle shop right next to the WINS because it advertised extremely cheap udon and soba (its lowest bowl being ¥200). We figured that men who had lost a lot of money at the races would have to eat there, as it was extremely affordable. The food wasn't too bad, and it was run by a singular friendly and hard-working
cook. Mom seemed to enjoy the food very much as she could finally relax her stomach muscles with the knowledge that she wasn't spending an arm and a leg to eat. Suzukoobachan's exorbitant spending habits stressed her out quite a bit.

Hitoshiojichan wanted to show me some arcades and a department store on the way back to the train station. UFO catcher machines are filled with the puffiest, most adorable plush toys ever. I saw ones with bunnies, baby seals, chicks, guinea pigs, and capybaras. There were machines filled with boxes of fish-shaped bean paste-filled cookies, fake jewelry, and cat paw-shaped gloves. There were limitless types of game machines, and there was even a floor totally devoted to Vegas-style slots (or are Vegas slots Japanese-style?). I was of course taken by the cuteness of the giant cavy plushies and wouldn't have minded winning one. But alas, those sorts of games are not intended to produce winners.

We stopped by Bic Camera on the way out, since Hitoshiojichan had to pick something up. It was not unlike a Fry's and the floors I visited were full of personal electronics, computers, laptops, and computer components, along with office and art supplies, books and magazines, and random tacky crap to adorn cellphones. I also got to see the humping dog USB device for sale-- it's less than 10 bucks. I'm intrigued.

I had always snickered at the sleepy Japanese on trains and wondered how they could fall asleep so fast-- until it happened to me on the way back from Tachikawa. As soon as I sat down, my eyelids began to droop and I felt very sleepy, despite my discomfort at being in a very public place. My family had already passed out on the bench in front of me-- perhaps it was a natural reaction that their sleepiness should pass onto me. I did not sleep on that trip, but I could now empathize with the other people on the train.

We stopped by Ozam, a grocery store, on the way back home. It was about this time that I began feeling unwell. My throat was dry and a little sore, my head was hurting, and I was becoming very fatigued. I bought some Kagome purple juice and looked forward to drinking it when we got home.

We got back around 2:30, and after a glass of juice I promptly changed clothes and went to sleep. I definitely did not feel well, and I suspected that I was coming down with a cold or maybe the flu. Mom woke me up at dinner time. I had another glass of juice, ate dinner, took a shower, and went back to sleep.

I stayed in bed all day yesterday. Mom had wanted to go to Tokyo, but because I was not feeling well, we did not go. I felt quite pathetic, as Obaachan is 4 times my age, in frail health, and was able to walk around all the previous day without complaint; here I was, tired from a light cough, and staying in bed. Sad. But for what it's worth, if I'm not feeling well, perhaps it's better that I'm not around her anyway, lest I pass along whatever is making me ill.

I stayed in bed again today, but I am feeling considerably better. Mom went to the Base to pick up some groceries and bought me some orange juice while she was there. We may go to Tokyo tomorrow, provided that we wake up early enough to catch the express line. I'm looking forward to it.

I am going to get ready for bed now, a little later than usual, but I'm optimistic about tomorrow.