Relaxing weekend

So, apparently this weekend will be quiet. I didn't know this before last night, but Kotone is actually moving out this weekend and getting an apartment on the the other side of Kyuushuu while she goes to school out there, so no family plans this weekend, but I do get some more freedom to explore. Okasan took us to Mr Max today, a shopping center with a similar layout as Walmart, but about half the size, to buy various items like shampoo and toothpaste, oh and laundry soap. We pay for rent and two meals, but anything else here is extra, so I do consider it a privilege to use the internet and be able to watch television when I want. I found some "grape mint" breath mints at the store and had to try them, they're pretty good, but it's strange.
Afterward we set out to explore the neighborhood and went down to Cocowalk mall again to look around and get lunch. Incidentally, here are some photos from the outside:

On the way there though we passed by these vending machines outside a Pachinko parlor (and no, I have not been in one yet, but I plan to go at least once before I leave, and almost certainly only once):

These are beer and sake vending machines. There is a security camera, but honestly I think if anyone wanted one they wouldn't get stopped. Though drinking culture seems very different over here and alcohol isn't viewed in the same way as it is in the US.
While in Cocowalk we went to McDonalds for lunch, Big Mac Set (it's called a Set "Seto" not a meal or combo in Japan), tastes the same as it does in the US, fries were a little better though. They do have menu items we don't, like a burger with egg and something called the Aurora Chicken Sandwich, I don't know if I'll get around to trying them though, there are better things to eat in Japan. One interesting thing though is that there is a hole to dump your soda/ice down before throwing your cup away.
There also was a store the had some interesting and cool oddities. They had a Ghostbusters poster that I honestly had a hard time not buying... but I might change my mind later this week. And two items that I simply had to take pictures of.

 This is a two level CD holder that looks suspiciously like a Big Mac.

And if you want ice cubes to look like alien ships from Space Invaders there's a product for that too.

Finally we found this little shrine outside a store that had a lot of cat related items, it was amusing:

The writing says "O-Nyanko Tenmangu", Kitty Cat Tenmangu (Tenmangu is a famous shrine in Kyouto, "Kyoto").

Anyway, not a lot today, trying to relax a little. We did try taking an alternate route down and back up the hill, but anyway you go the hill back home is steep and exhausting. If I even get a mild cold this semester I am NOT going to class. Going to try to find somethings to go see tomorrow that are free. Most of the things I have found so far cost money, many things here are free once you have your Alien Registration Card, but that will not be ready for pick up until November 9th at the earliest. One other point of interest, found a vending machine that had sodas that features characters and bios from the Kamen Rider series, the soda was bubble gum flavored, it was interesting. I really have to pace myself here, there are so many new things and I want to try them all at once, but I keep reminding myself that I have a year and need to slow down, there is not enough room in my stomach, or money in my wallet, or time in a day to do everything I want to do, but each day here so far has made me think I really do want to be here after college, we'll see if I still feel that way next August.