Saturday, 17 July 2004

It's FestiVAL!

The Japanese festivals are in full swing now that we're in summer so, after hearing from a student that the Sengendai festival was on tonight, I headed straight over after work!

When I got there, I ran into AJ who was waiting for Kat so, once Kat arrived we three hung out, had dinner in the same Japanese restaurant we ate in a week ago for that farewell party (the pizza place they wanted had actually been DEMOLISHED) and then checked out the festival which was covering the entire main street!

It was really an amazing cultural experience! This is the Japan I wanted to see when I first got here! Little girls were dressed up in Kimonos and Yukatas, the streets were decked in red paper lanterns, traditional dancing and music was happening and Japanese food was everywhere! We had to try a chocolate covered Bannana and I had always wanted to try that fishing game where you fish with a paper tennis racket and try to scoop as many fish as you can into your bowl before the paper brakes.

I only managed to capture one fish, but the man felt sorry and gave me a second. I actually gave these to a mother and her son as I don't feel like leaving orphan fish on every continent around the world. (p.s. I hear Pam is looking after my guppies and catfish back in Oz alright. Thanks Pam!).

On another note, we had a HUGE earthquake today! That's number 3! I was in a voice class and the whole building started swaying! Really cool!!!