Uji Sakura Festival
Hey!
I’m getting better at this finally… I’m posting photos that are from today!
I went to Uji, in Kyoto, today with Sacchan (who I met because she was my “speaking partner” but now she’s really just my friend) and her friends Tomoko, Kanappe, Yuri-chan and Rea. They all speak English pretty well and are really sweet and nice to me. It was sooo fun. They all ask me heaps of questions about everything and seem so interested in Canada/my life/life in general. Really sweet girls. They even bought my lunch for me (the green tea flavoured udon shown below, a specialty of the area).
And!… I got to wear a kimono, which this old Japanese lady dressed me in and then let me walk around the area a bit to take photos. It was pretty funny, since I was one of very few foreigners around (I think I saw only 2 others) I already stuck out, and once I had the bright green kimono on, I stuck out even more! But people loved it, they kept saying “kirei, kirei” which means beautiful, and some random people even wanted to take photos with me (the old ladies in the picture). So funny… but sort of weird, and the shoes really hurt my feet, so after wearing it for maybe 15 minutes I just wanted to take it off. But the best thing about the kimono is that I got to wear it for 1/10 of the usual cost. The lady said that she usually charges foreigners $100 for it, but I only had to pay $10. I tried to ask how much it would be if I was Japanese, but no one there understood my question.
So after that we had lunch, and went to Byodoin Temple, and then went on a boat ride.
In other news:
- I cut my hair the other day. And by that I do mean I myself cut my hair… not got my hair cut by someone else. I was in desperate need of a trim and didn’t feel good about getting it cut by someone who didn’t speak the same language as me.
- My host dad got a promotion, and now is the treasurer of Kadoma city, which is another small city close to Hirakata. He says it’s going to be stressful since the city has no money.
- Luke is coming to visit me. (And I think we should go to Korea!)
- I realized recently that I probably drink a billion cups of tea a day.
- I pretty much have only a month left of classes… which makes me kind of sad.
ps- again, hold your mouse over each picture if you want to see my little description of it.
Posted: April 8th, 2007 under Japan.
Comments: 6
Comments
Comment from Luke
Time: April 9, 2007, 2:26 am
If you drink a billion cups of tea, you will drown in your own tea pee. 10 points if you know how this punch line relates to Medicine Hat.
I got my flight. Details forthcoming.
Korea sounds good, but do I need a special visa?
Why do Japanese like the 2-finger peace sign so much??
Comment from mcc
Time: April 9, 2007, 7:39 pm
all great updating points! those pics of you all dressed up are awesome - what a classic and perfect way to experience japan! another comment is that those noodles and whatnot appear to be the only meal of yours so far i think i would have enjoyed. glad you’re having fun! ps: i love arrested development now
Comment from bjnc
Time: April 9, 2007, 8:03 pm
I know!! It was grandma’s joke when we passed the worldest biggest teepee in Medicine Hat. Is that right??
Jillian, what fabulous pictures, now I see why cherry blossom time is such a big deal - so beautiful. Your Japanese friends are cute. and so short.
I want to have this experience too! Why didn’t I think of it 35 years ago?
Comment from bjnc
Time: April 10, 2007, 11:15 am
I didn’t know you could get a caption by holding the mouse arrow over the picture and waiting a second. Why didn’t you tell us??? maybe you did.
Comment from sharon
Time: April 10, 2007, 11:30 am
Jillian, free your feet from those tiny wooden (cute) platforms…Great pictures, the tree blossom pic is beautiful. Best regards, from J and P and G too!
Comment from auntie pat
Time: April 15, 2007, 2:19 am
Jillian
Loved the green kimono — suited you. Such a shame that the weather is decreasing your enjoyment of the cherry blossoms — what an awesome time (season) to be in Japan. Michael was reading over my shoulder when I came upon your statement of skipping class. That led to a quick but interesting discussion. You do have great adventures, seemingly daily. Good luck with your architecture paper. If you and Luke go to Korea there could be a “family reunion” of sorts — how neat !!
Colleen had her jewellery show today. Dan learned he is a Professional Engineer (P. Eng). Sandra will be one too as soon as she gets her paper work done. Michael was over tonight for me to proof read his thesis. If all goes well he defends on May 4.
I wonder how often you will get a craving for real Japanese food when you get home — and Green tea.
Keep on having fun.
Love
Auntie Pat
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