Journal 16 - The Japanese Need an Excuse to Drink ... Hey Look, There's Some Tree's With Pretty Pink Flowers!!!

OK, not bad ... it's only been 3 weeks since the last Journal. It means, I haven't been entirely sheltered in my little box the whole time. Which, by the way, I've started to turn it into "My Box". I now have a plant and I am happy to say he has lasted for going on 4 months now.

Oh yeah ... hello everyone, hope you're all keeping well. Here's another little update on the Life and Times of Joe's Adventure. What's the topic of the week? ... Cherry Blossoms. I have never seen these fantastic trees before and all I can say is "unbelievable". It is an absolutely breath taking sight. To me, this is what Spring should be like everywhere. You're walking along the river or in a park under these huge trees that are full of light pink flowers. And these trees go on for miles and miles. I, of course, went a little camera crazy and took a whole bunch of pics. Out of all the pictures I put on the site, these are the ones you can't miss. I can give you as much of a visual as I can, but seeing is believing. So, I've been spending most of the past week, walking and running along the river under the trees. It's been great. Unfortunately, they don't last very long. I'm already noticing the flowers falling and being replaced by leaves. Cherry Blossom season only lasts for about a week or so and then it's regular green. And no, Cherry Blossoms aren't cherry trees which, I admit, thought they were ... Do I look like a plant expert?

Oh, so there's another topic of the week, another Japanese word for you ... Hanami. Or I should say Hanami Party. I had my first experience of a Hanami party last Sunday. A Hanami party is where people gather together (family, friends, etc) and meet under the Cherry Blossom trees. They sit on the ground, eat and oh yeah drink ... of course. I guess you can say it's like a picnic, ants and all. Some of the foods you eat are traditional Japanese foods ... Sushi, Rice, KFC. And the traditional drink is ... well, Beer and Sake. Some groups bring portable BBQ's and cook beef, pork, fish, chicken. The weather was OK; it started to rain for a bit, which actually was a bonus because when we arrived (we went to a popular park in Shizuoka city), the place was crowded. As soon as the rain started, most of the groups left. So, we ended up having a lot more room. The rain only lasted a few minutes and didn't come down again until we were ready to leave. Anyway, these Hanami party's are a great way for family and friends to gather together and do, what a lot of Japanese people don't do ... relax! There were about 20 of us total ... teachers, students, families. We stayed for most of the afternoon and ate, drank, played games. Then of course, we packed up and went to that other traditional place ... Karaoke. Actually, we went to a Japanese bar first and then to Karaoke. It was a great day. A great time was had by all.

So, now it's nose to the grindstone with work for the next couple of weeks until my 10 day trip to Thailand which I am definitely looking forward to. I'm going to be meeting my friend Leanne who has been travelling around Asia since last March. We're starting in Bangkok and then going to head down to the Ko Sumai Beach and into Khao Sok National Park. Don't worry we will be away from Tsunami danger ... I hope!

That's about all that's going on right now. I know this is a pretty short one, but I wanted to get one out before I leave for Thailand. I'm sure that journal will make up for it. For now, I will close here.

I hope all is well with everyone ... Take care.

Joe