At the Swimming Pool

One of the many enjoyable memories of our luxuriant two-week summer vacation!

We went a few times to the public pool at Meijo Koen park, and we especially enjoyed seeing the crowds exit the pool once an hour to do calisthenics. At one stage, the pool staff came out wearing costumes and did a fun song for the kids. I was happy to realize I understood the words they were chanting to accompany the moves: crab! shrimp! crab! shrimp! Japan never ceases to be adorable, confounding and principled at the same time.