🚗 Afternoon Drive and the Town’s Scene
We headed out shopping in the afternoon. Leaving our apartment building, we turned from the national highway onto Gakuen Street. Unlike last week, there were hardly any cars on the road, creating a very quiet atmosphere. Driving slowly, it felt like a peaceful time, almost like we were just enjoying the drive. Though the temperature wasn’t particularly high, the sunlight was strong, and the light streaming into the car was so bright it felt like it might burn us.
🥬 Shopping at the Farmers Market
My first stop was the Nishihara Farmers Market. The parking lot was empty, but once inside, it was surprisingly crowded and bustling. Looking around, the first thing that caught my eye was a huge tamana (cabbage). It was bigger than my face, which surprised me, so I bought it without hesitation. There was also an abundance of other items like new onions, mini tomatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini, all reasonably priced, so I bought a bunch. I plan to prepare stuffed cabbage rolls today or tomorrow. The large leaves should make for satisfying rolls, and I’m looking forward to making them. After paying, I returned to the car and headed to my next destination.
🏗️ Through Road Construction to Sanei
The area in front of the farmers market is currently under construction, with a bridge being replaced. Because of this, I took a detour to get to Sanei. The riverside is also under renovation, with the road winding slightly left and right. It’s supposed to be straight once completed, but it’s a bit tricky to drive on now. When we arrived at San-A, the parking lot wasn’t too crowded, so we parked on the 4th floor. Stepping out of the elevator, we saw the event space where a classical concert was taking place. The poster seemed to say “Ryukyu Wind Instruments,” and elegant melodies were flowing from noon onward.
🍽️ Lunch at Ohsho and the Food Court Scene
We headed straight to the Chinese restaurant Ohsho. I ordered the Ohsho Set Meal, and my brother got the Sweet and Sour Pork Set Meal. I shared a little with my mom, but she said, “I don’t eat that much,” so it seemed like just the right amount. After eating, we peeked into the food court. It was still under renovation, with only KFC and Gindaco open. Other shops were boarded up, preparations clearly underway for new tenants. About half seemed to be changing, and the scale of the construction work looked substantial. The food court and new shops appear set to open around the same time, so I’m looking forward to its completion next month.
🏡 Mom’s Afternoon Routine and Evening Time
The drive home after shopping was smooth with no traffic. The strong breeze felt refreshing, making the drive enjoyable. After arriving home, Mom took a short nap, then brought in the laundry and carefully folded it. She mentioned the sumo tournament starts today, so I imagine she’ll relax in bed watching it later, winding down the day peacefully.
📝 Summary
The afternoon shopping went smoothly along quiet roads bathed in spring sunshine. At the farmers’ market, I found large cabbages and fresh vegetables, making it a shopping trip that got me excited about making stuffed cabbage rolls. At Sanei, classical music played in the background, and the food court under renovation showed signs of progress ahead of its opening next month. Back home, my mother was spending her time calmly, and her anticipation for the sumo tournament made for a heartwarming day.
Here’s what dinner looked like: “Onion Salad,” “Asparagus Baked in Foil,” “Stir-fried Zucchini and Tomatoes.” We’ll make the stuffed cabbage rolls another day.
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