WEBmikey: Japan 2005: Day 3

Latest Flickr

Latest Twitter


Japan 2005: Day 3
8.24.2005 9:22 PM \| Link 0 comments	I woke up in Kazuomi's house in Kyoto listening to the sounds of cicadas and trains passing, just like summer in Japan should sound. Chiaki made us all a nice breakfast of eggs, ham, bread, and a small salad, and I realized that I can't cut food with hashi (chopsticks) very well! Everyone walked to the station, including Daichi, and we said good bye and rode back to Osaka for some quick shopping before we had to catch the bus to Tokushima. I had fun looking at video games in Yodobashi department store, plus all of the fantastic toys in Kiddie Land. After we bought some onigiri (Matt picked out some great ones for me) for lunch, we hopped on the bus. I sat next to a girl who did math homework for the entire trip! There were lots of nice views during the drive, including passing through Naruto, home of whirlpools. The huge suspension bridges to get to Shikoku were amazing, too! At Tokushima station, we met Keiko, who is the sister of one of Kumiko's high school friends. She and her husband drove us to their parents' home, where we were staying the night. During the drive it was fun to talk to Keiko, because she was so amazed that I knew some Japanese (it turns out that everyone is amazed if you know a little Japanese, but that's OK because it made me feel special!). At the Onishi's home, I met the mother (father was at work), plus Keiko's children - Megumi (8 years old) and Nozomi (4 years old). Both girls were so cute and full of fun, jumping around and making cat sounds (Nyan nyan in Japan!). While we waited for an unexpected meal to be finished, we walked around the nearby fields and farm land, which was really beautiful. I provided some entertainment by talking about the "fields of gohan" (gohan means cooked rice, so I should have said kome!), and had fun hopping on one foot with Nozomi. Back at the house, I gave gifts to the mother, and the tissue paper wrapping became instant toys for the girls. I showed them how to make paper hune (boats) which I learned as a little boy from Curious George Rides a Bike, and that seemed to be a big hit. The meal was amazing, including shabu-shabu salad, fish, gyoza, and homemade bread! After dinner we went to Awa Odori, our reason for visiting Tokushima! As we got to the performance area bleachers, I was shocked to find out that Kumiko got us front-row seats! The festival was unbelievable - I've often read about how much Matt enjoys it, and now I know why. Awa Odori is definitely one of the most uplifting and wonderful things you can experience in Japan! Teams of performers parade down the street, made of groups of women in beautiful costumes dancing in geta (wooden shoes), energetic men swinging lanterns, and groups of musicians playing drums, flutes, and shamisen. Everyone uses the same traditional tune and dance steps (along with an infectious chant), but the different teams add their own touches to shine above the rest. Lots of the teams had groups of children, all cute as could be and trying their best to wow the crowd. It was just moving to see everyone so happy and proud of their culture! After the performance, we all joined in the dance for a bit (after watching for two hours you simply have to!), and then walked around the city. Everywhere you looked it was absolutely packed with people enjoying life, drinking beer and looking spectacular in yukata. Eventually we had to go home, where we met father Onishi and sat around talking and snacking (and I soon realized that it's hard to concentrate on Japanese when you're tired). While I waited for my turn in the shower, I talked with Keiko and mother Onishi some more, mostly about music and language. After I finally figured out the katakana for shampoo, I finished my shower and sat on the balcony with Matt & Kumiko. It was so dark in the country that we saw many shooting stars, marking the end of another beautiful day. View photos: Day 3 For Matt & Kumiko's thoughts on the trip, be sure to read Moon Station Foxtrot and Kumiko's blog (mostly in Japanese)! Labels: japan, photos, trips Comments Post a Comment