Yokoso Michigan E!

My well planed day of leaving the house at 9am did not happen.  I woke up to 2 sick  boys.  One away, one asleep.  The one who slept managed to get sick on 2 futons and 2 pads.  Oh no, I hurried up and e-mailed the owner of Komachiya.  She quickly called me on her 1 way cell(this little cell phone like device with 1 push button that calls her directly) and asked I clean it off and hang it to dry and she will send the cleaning lady over later to look at it since she had to work.  

The cleaning lady was so sweet, luckily my 13 year old rusty Japanese managed.  She put the yucky futons in storage and laid out blankets to serve as the kids beds since they rent the futons and will need to call and see if they can change them.  

So the 2 sick kids stayed behind with nainai(grama) while the rest of us went to the gardens and then off to Otsu!  The sickos were required to go there, so I ran back to get them and the two groups would meet at car 4 of the train, I would pop my head out and yell for them to get on the train.  When we got to their stop, no one was there, I hoped they had left and went to Hamaotsu with out us.  No.  We arrived and waited around for them to arrive.  We missed 3rd cruise, it was past lunch time.  I went to feed my group at Lotteria with their shakem up fries.  They have seasoning packets and you add to your bag of fries, shake and eat.  

Finally the two groups were united and all fed.  We road the shortened 1 hr 4th cruise sitting on the second floor.  A lot has changed, a piano on the first floor, Michigan boat bullseye carpet runners, the cafe set up at the back of the 2nd floor, the side walls and foot soak by the stage and an observation deck complete with binoculars.  It was wonderful to breath the fresh air of Biwako(Lake Biwa).  

After the cruise, the in-laws were tired and returned.  We walked on past the Michigan House to Lawsons.  Had to get some ice cream!  We ate it walking toward the old kendo building.  Unfortunately it was closed about 4 years ago and they have fences along the perimeter so you can't peak in the windows.  

Our dinner consisted of Nikuman(aka Baoza, big steamed dumplings) and Inarisushi(triangle shaped rice, mine filled with salmon and wrapped in seaweed), taken to eat down by the shore.  Poor kids were freezing cold.

Amy and I walked down to Sanjo and had a drink at the Pig and Whistle.  I had my Violet Fizz!