Before winter began I use to take Mia on walks along the Shukugawa river down to the ocean. On the way I would typically stop off at a small liquor shop in front of Koroen station to get a half can of something to enjoy on the beach as Mia played with the sand. This liquor shop has a very informal "
tachi-nomi" or standing bar where the neighborhood's white haired old men gather and enjoy a few drinks. Coming in there once or twice a week they began to notice me and especially Mia... she's that cute. The
ojisan all got a kick out of her smile, her baby talk, and her big
gaijin dada. They'd ask me if I could speak Japanese, and if Mia could speak English, how long I've been in Japan, and a few other questions as I chose my drink and paid for it. On the way out I always have Mia blow them all a kiss and they all just get a huge kick out of her. The grandmother who always seems to be working when I go in is also very kind.
We stopped in the shop for the first time this year this evening. This time the grandmother pulled an
umaibo snack from the back and gave it to Mia asking if she could eat it. Mia, of course, could eat it. She was chomping down on the wrapper all the way from the store to the beach! Once we got to the beach Mia enjoyed her snack while saying "ohh" and "ahh" to the birds in the sky.
I love stopping in this little liquor shop and I think Mia does too!
