Beginnings of Summer

Summer has begun. With only 4 more days left of work, the fact that it's here has finally started to sink in. SUMMER!! Yes please, and thank you!

This weekend my good friend Lolo came down from Nagano-ken and we adventured down to Kyoto to see the Gion Matsuri.  A great way to kick off the warm hot weather! After relaxing in Minakuchi for a couple of hours, we made our way to Kyoto. As soon as we got off the train we started to see people in yukatas (the summer equivalent of a kimono). Gion is a festival that takes place for the entire month of July, but culminates on the 17th (Tuesday) with a large parade. On the days leading up to the parade, giant floats (like in the picture above) are carried out to be displayed and many of the main streets are blocked off for pedestrian traffic. We went on Saturday the 14th, also known as Yoiyoiyoiyama. If this is what it's like three days before the parade, I can't imagine what it'll be like tomorrow! It was crowded. 

The blocked off streets of Kyoto. This is as we were walking away, so we weren't fighting against the crowds. 

As we walked through the area with the floats we saw tons of stands with festival foods. They smelled delicious. Some common ones are fried chicken, ice-cream, roasted corn, frankfurters, shaved ice, and candied apples. It reminds me a little bit of the fair without the rides. There are even the same type of games that you can play! This is a stand for bacon egg and cheese sandwiches in the shape of fish! Usually they have sweet custard filling. 

Here's another favorite. Grilled squid!! Delicious. 

I snuck this picture of some women wearing traditional summer clothing, yukatas. A yukata is very similar to a kimono, but it's designed to be cooler and easier to wear in the heat. They aren't worn in everyday life, but people will often dress up in order to go to special occasions such as summer festivals. Learning how to dress in one and wear one is a skill that has to be "properly learned" and some people take classes in how put them on. 

All in all, it was a very exciting adventure. Most towns have their own unique festivals during the summer. Going to one of Kyoto's was lots of fun, and I'm looking forward to (hopefully) going to a whole lot more!! 

So many exciting things are happening and will be happening soon. Traveling great places, relaxing with great people. Having a break from work to recharge and spending time with my family and friends! Summer has definitely begun, guys.  I am pumped!

To-ji Temple

Yesterday I went to To-ji Temple in Kyoto. Once a month they have a free craft fair/farmers market within the temple grounds. It was really neat to wander around and see all of the crafts, foods, and knick-nacks that were being sold. 

Within the inner temple sanctuary, there were still people praying and the monks were hard at work. They also had these wishing sticks --> 

You write your wish.....

... and put it in this box... 

and the monks will burn it in this fire. 

 I hope this helps the wish come true! SAFE TRAVELS and happy adventuring!

Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro Festival

It has been a beautiful weekend, and yesterday I went to Kyoto to see the Higashiyama Hanatouro Light Festival. In December and March, parts of the city of Kyoto are illuminated with lanterns and lighting fixtures that create a path through the city. It's a picturesque walk through the city that stops at shrines and parks. You can see dancers and performers, eat festival foods from little carts, and even have a little picnic and sip a beer. My friends and I went together to wander along the paths with the hordes of Japanese families and couples. It was quaint, cozy, a little cold, and a lot of fun!

Light show on the back of the Chionin Temple

Storefront on the path up to Kiyomizu-dera

Lighting fixtures in the garden

Kyoto Nightscape from Kiyomizu-dera

As the weather slowly gets warmer, the people in Kansai are out and about, and I'm glad to be one of them. 

On a different note, today (March 11th) is the one year anniversary of the Tohoku tsunami and earthquake. Japan is still feeling the affects of the disaster and it is a continuing struggle for recovery. I can't pretend to know too much about politics or to be an expert on this topic, but I do know from living here that it was an event that touched every person in Japan. The country pulled together emotionally and practically to support each other, and they continue to honor that today in remembrance ceremonies and continuing relief efforts. 

Japan Times -- 3.11 Anniversary

Super Charged Weekend! and Thank you :)

So far since being in Japan I have managed to not go to far from my new home or do anything too extravagant, but this weekend I decided it was time to let loose a little. Some great people in Minakuchi have made this weekend super special for me, and I'm glad to be able to get to know them.

On Friday at work one of my JTEs invited me over to her home for dinner that night. A few weeks ago I travelled to Kyoto with this teacher and her daughter, who is also my age. Friday night dinner was very enjoyable! Okonomiyaki with squid and pork. Mmmm... Followed by some WiiSports (I fail at tennis, but I can sort of succeed at bowling.... Miki is very good at both!) and then this lovely surprise:

Having been asked my birthday by pretty much every class in the school, Nakajima-sensei apparently remembered. I was so touched by her kindness. She and her family are genuinely sweet people and I hope to get to know them better in the future. Next time, I get to cook!

Knowing the weather was going to be beautiful this weekend, I had decided to travel to Kyoto with a fellow ALT who lives in the actual town of Koka, the NINJA VILLAGE! I met many of the JET ALTs at an Easter picnic on Lake Biwa a few weeks back. Ann has been helping me find things to do and important places in the area. We got to Kyoto late in the morning and strolled leisurely around Kiyomizu-dera. SO MANY TOURISTS. A few hours later on our way back down, we happened upon a small boutique that was having a sale where you could be made up as a geisha. I would never have thought to do this, but it was super cheap and definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity, so why not?! Definitely glad I did. I have a few professional pictures as a result, which still need to be scanned into a computer. I also have some shots that I took with my digital camera. Here's the results of two hours of make-up and wrapping:

Don't ask me what my facial expression is... I could not tell you.

SUMO!

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Geisha?

This make up was so difficult to get off!!

Following this random adventure was dinner in Teramachi at a Ninja Buffet. The waiters and waitresses were all dressed up as Ninja and there was a lot of merchandise for sale. It wast tasty that was definitely needed after not being able to breathe for the last two hours. Interspersed through the day was shoppinguuu and lots of Kyoto omiyage (souvenir) taste testing. Mochi, tsukemono (pickles) and ice cream! After dinner we ran into a bunch of other Shiga area JETs. In an area as big as Kyoto, it's funny how apparently all of the ALTs know each other.

Today it's rainy, but I am enjoying the day relaxing in my little apartment. I feel lucky that I am working alongside some great people and am very grateful to have experiences like I did this weekend. Sometimes it just hits me: I'm in JAPAN?! How and when exactly did that happen?? I am very lucky to be here and so thankful for everyone in my life.

I am also incredibly thankful to all of my friends and especially my family back in the US who continue to support me and are always there for me. You all mean so much to me! I miss everyone a lot and I am so glad when I get to hear what everyone is up to and how people are doing. How did I get so may amazing people in my life? <3 All of your messages definitely made this weekend a special one. Thank you!! どうもありがとう!

I hope all is well with everyone. Miss you!!