SAYING GOODBYE TO NANA … FOR NOW
23.01.2025
This morning we just relaxed over breakfast and then Nana told Mami that a new supermarket had just opened and she wanted to see what it was like. The word going around is that there are some bargains to be had and that was enough for Nana, Mami and I, to find out for ourselves if the gossip is true.
As we are trying to keep fit we decided to walk to the shop. Nana had some chores to do, so she went to do that and met us at the supermarket. On arrival I would have to say the choice of colours and the name, LAMU, were not exactly brimming with ‘Wow’ factor.
However we pushed on and did a quick circuit of the aisles. Nana was out in front and wanted to check the bread. Mami was more intent on bringing back cooking ingredients she cannot get in Australia or are much cheaper here in Japan. For example, Golden Curry is a lot cheaper here and l would be happy to dedicate a whole suitcase just to Golden Curry.
We ended up with quite a few things in our shopping, some to take home to Australia and others, like the two croquettes I purchased, were to be eaten as soon as we got home. Two croquettes cost me 150Y and they were absolutely delicious! Second only to Youko’s homemade croquettes.
In the afternoon, we took Nana to the Shinkansen station. As the title suggests, she’s leaving Shunan today and heading back to Osaka. It’s hard to believe, but the bond between the sisters wasn’t always as strong as it is now. Mami remembers Nana calling her all sorts of mean names, even ‘poo,’ though Nana insists she has no memory of it. Who’s to say what really happened? Mami also recalls dobbing on Nana to Youko all the time, no wonder Nana was mean to her little sister. Again Nana denies the fact that she was mean to Mami.
It was when Nana first left Shunan at 19 to study in Osaka that the sisters started reconnecting, doing things together, and talking more. When Mami left for university in Kyoto, Nana had moved on to Tokyo, and the two of them made an effort to visit each other during Mami’s University years. I would say they are very close now and we are looking forward to Nana coming to Australia in 2026, when Yuri goes to Spain to further her education there.
We fished a light and delicious dinner and while I did the dishes we discussed whether my Japanese was better or worse than Yoshi and Youko’s English. No one wanted to concede so I guess it had to be a draw.
We finished the night with a game of Qwirkle. I started well then had three scores of 2 points in a row. The winner was Mami, second Youko, third Rob and Yoshi was fourth. It was fun as it always is and a good way to end the evening.