那須のアウトレットまでドライブ Driving up to the outlet-shopping center in Nasushiobara

好天気日和の下、初めて那須塩原のガーデンアウトレットまでドライブ。1990年代に家族の洋服を探しによく出かけたニューヨーク郊外にあったアウトレットを思い出す。でもかなり小さくした感じ。あの時は客層がいろいろで大混雑していたが、ここは若い子供連れと若いアベックが圧倒的で競争してショッピングをするすさまじさは無い。のんびりと品物を物色して・・我々も結局夫が欲しいと思っていた冬用帽子が見つかってそれを入手しただけ。でも、本物のアルパカちゃんに出会えたのはラッキーでした。　　　Hav...ing such a beautiful autumn weather, we decided to drive up to Garden Outlet of Nasushiobara. This place reminded me of those days in 1990s when we often went to the outlet located in the suburbs of NYC to look for our clothes. But that one was much bigger in scale and customers were much more diversified. They were very energetic and competative to capture what they wanted. Here customers are young couples or young parents taking their kids along. They just looked enjoying walking or looking around or playing in the yard. I myself couldn't find what I wanted and we ended up with buying a hat for Masao. He finally found one he had wanted. Then a lucky thing happened to us. We were able to come across a big alpaca which was enclosed with a small fence. She was so calm and beautiful. It's said that an alpaca belongs to camels' family.