Today was my parents’ last day in Japan. Even though their hotel was within throwing distance of Numazu station, The Penpal’s father had insisted on driving us to Mishima station to save us bringing large suitcases on the short train ride from Numazu to Mishima.
My parents said their goodbyes to The Penpal’s parents, and then to their future daughter in law. My mother and The Penpal’s mother had become good friends in the short time together, despite their language barrier. The Penpal’s father actually looked a bit emotional when we walked into the station. I’m very happy that the families get along so well! There’s a long way to go before The Penpal and I get married, and it’s nice to have the support of two families who seem to like each other.
We took the shinkansen from Mishima to Tokyo, ate an early dinner at the station, and then took the Narita Express to the airport. On the train ride, my parents gave me a handful of unspent yen as a gift. It also saved them changing it back into dollars when they got home. I got them checked in at the airport, and watched them go down the escalator into the international departure area. It had been a fun visit and I was sad to see them go. I was also unsure when I was going to see them again as I was considering whether I wanted to leave Japan at the end of the year or stay longer.
On the way home I stopped in Akihabara and used the money from my parents to buy myself and Ipod Nano to replace my broken down and obsolete portable CD player. Thanks mom and dad!
Drinking in Japan 