Sunday April 10, 2005 - SAKURA FESTIVAL!!!

(photo taken by Ana)

This morning Ana and I went with a bunch of International students to the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival in the rural parts of Tottori Prefecture (province). It was a very gorgeous area, there were mountains surrounding us at every angle and the rich colour of the Sakura trees accented the serene environment to another level. when we arrived, we met up with the entire village already seated on tatami mats oustide in a gorgeous field flanked by the sakura trees. There were LOTS AnD LOTS AND LOTS of food, desserts, beer, sake, candy, snacks, etc... This food wasn't from restaurants, it was 100% authentic home-made Japanese food made by the people of the village. And did I mention it was all freeeeee. Considering we dont have our bank accounts set up yet, being fed was defintely a plus. The people were so friendly constantly offering us food, and drinks. One man kept pouring us beer. You can tell that the Japanese are cheap drunks. By like their second cup, their faces were completely red. They sure know how to have a great time. We were also entertained with women playing the koto and Hawaiian style dancing. After that we all got a chance to get up in a circle to dance to traditional Japanese folks songs. We had sooo much fun. The trip was organized by Waka sensei (the man in the hawaiian skirt). It is definetely one of the most memorable events here so far. Its not everyday that one gets to explore rural areas of a country half way across the world. Ususally if someone were to come to Japan, they would go to big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc... The awesome thing is that we didnt know about this till late yesterday when one of the Nepalese students told us about it. There was supposedly was a sign-up sheet posted in the International Residence that we didnt see. So all late yesterday we were frantically trying to find the person in charge. But luckily this morning, there was enough room for us on the cars. Words cannot describe the amazing atmosphere of the event. So I'll show it in words

Henry, grad student from Kenya and myself on the way to the Sakura Festival

Me at the festival

Gorgeous landscape in rural Tottori province

Everyone enjoying the HUGE FEAST at the sakura festival


Ana and I enjoying ourselves at the Sakura festival


Mushroom.. mmmmm...


mmmmm... more mushroom


Waka-sensei (the man in the hawaiian skirt) organized the fesitival for all the int'l students






Free Food and Free Beer (great combo)




Ana and a Japanese baby


Everyone enjoying their meal


Me and Japanese muscians playing folk music


Japanese ladies folk dancing


Japanese dessert wrapped in Sakura tree leaf


All of us doing traditional Japanese dancing


Ana danving


Me breaking down some moves


The area of Tottori we were in... too bad I dont know how to read it


Village houses