Picture: The Morning Market at Wajima attracts large numbers of domestic tourists. We saw many bus loads of people arriving and long lines of tourists with their guides out in front holding flags, all heading towards the market. This building stands conspicuously among the rows of traditional Japanese houses and shops. We can't explain the Roman decor and the forecourt with walls each side made to look as if they are part of a larger building but actually fake. We just thought it was interesting so took a picture of it. There was no sign of life so maybe it was vacant.

Wajima is good place for biking, it is relatively flat and the stores are reasonably close. The first day when we arrived, we bought an engine starting battery at a large bulk store. Ever since we arrived back from America, the engine battery did not work and we have been using the house batteries to start the engine. Hirei san at Oki offered us an old one that was still good but it was too big for the space. We also bought two rugs at the same bulk store since our old rugs were ruined by kerosene.

I spent Mother's Day washing clothes at the laundry mat and shopping. While the laundry was being done, I wondered over to the market. Many shopkeepers on that street had brought their goods out and placed them on display outside their store. Other people drove up in small vans full of fruit and vegetables. Some vendors were older ladies with garden produce and homemade house slippers made of cloth remnants. Actually it was no different from a Sunday market anywhere else in the world. I always find it interesting to browse. Ted stayed with the boat doing fiberglass work on the section of the boat that got damaged docking. He also cleaned and waxed the hull. After the laundry, I biked to a shopping center on the outskirts of town to buy groceries. I feel quite comfortable getting around town by myself. Local people are usually fascinated with me, a Japanese-looking woman who speaks English only and came from America on a sailboat - very strange!