Journal 24 - A German, an Irishman and a Canadian are sitting at a bar ...

Yeah, there's no punch line to that one, it was just one night when I was out with some friends and the bartender actually brought that to our attention ... it was quite amusing. Well, maybe at that time, but that was the beers talking.

Hello everyone, hope all is well with you. Well, it's a pretty dark and dreary day today and I'm sitting at home nursing a sprained ankle that I decided to do to myself when I was out at a BBQ last week. Actually, I think it's more bruised because it's not as swollen as it should be if it was sprained. It is, however, a lovely shade of purple ... is that normal? OK, so let me quickly explain as I don't want to get into complete details. This past week was Golden Week, which is a time for people to have 3, funfilled, days off and not worry about work. But, in our case, we had the whole week off ... NICE! So, last Sunday, I got invited to a BBQ which was held north of Hamamatsu called Hamakita. A very nice place, right along the river. Anyway, we enjoyed lots of food and of course, beer. We also played some games including frisbee. Well, I was playing with my co-worker's boyfriend and he threw the frisbee to me, but it decided to turn and head towards the river. I tried going after it, but as I was getting close to the river, I slipped, fell on my butt, partially ended up in the water and at the same time twisted my ankle. I wish I could say I was victoriuos with catching the frisbee, but not even close. So, anyway the rest of the day was me soaking my foot in the water, hopping along, sitting around and listening to my co-worker constantly telling me that I shouldn't have been playing ... I'm too old! (Apparently to her, once you reach 30, you give up on all forms of exercise and bring out the knitting needles). So, that was my little stint. Of course, here's me ignoring the whole thing, walking around on it, going running ... OK, I did that only once because I paid for it afterwards ... but I am feeling pretty ansy. At least I've been able to get some biking in, doesn't hurt as much. I just want to say, I did have a good time at the BBQ.

OK, so that was not the planned theme of this blog. What I wanted to talk about was a very famous festival, that has been going on in this very town of Hamamatsu for over 400 years. No, I didn't type an extra 0, that is the truth. This is one of the longest festivals ever. I'm talking about The Hamamatsu Kite Festival. This happens every year during Golden Week. It also coincides with the celebration of Boys Day which is every May 5th (Yes, there is a Girls Day as well which was in March). So, in Japan it's traditional for people to hang out the most extravagant, colorful and not to mention huge, fish shaped flags to celebrate Boys Day. This happens all over Japan. In Hamamatsu, they go one step further and have this kite festival. Each community of Hamamatsu spends the entire year building these kites. Which, by the way, stands about 3m X 3m ... quite huge. It takes a group of about 10 or so people to handle one. On these kites is name written in Kanji which is a name of a boy from that community who was born the year before. Oh, forgot to mention, they usually make more than one of the same kite, usually about 5. Why? Well, part of this whole kite festival is not only to just fly it, but to also have battles between the other communities. Yes, I'm talking fighting the kites and trying to knock them down. It is quite disheartening seeing a kite go up for only a few minutes and then get knocked right away. OK, not disheartening ... quite amusing. The festival itself is quite amazing to see ...for an hour or so. Then the number of people and the dust being blown around gets to you. So, how did this whole thing start? Well, I was doing a little bit of research on the net and apparently it started off in the mid 1500's where a town ruler celebrated his son's birth by flying a kite with his name on it. Today there are over 160 communities with people dressed in their "happi" coats representing their neighborhood. Personally, I think they all look like a bunch of ninja's out to do battle amongst one another, but that's just me. So, that's all I found out about the festival, but I have my own interpretation on why the kite festival started.

Enter 2 rulers ... we'll call them Takato-sen and Shinji-sen. They're both out with their new born sons strolling in the park. It's a coincidence they decide to sit at the same park bench:

Takato: Cute son you got there!
Shinji: Thanks ... you too!
Takato: Yeah he is, isn't he? Gonna be quite the ruler when he grows up.
Shinji: Yeah mine too.
Takato: Well, mine will rule over 30 people.
Shinji: Really? Mine will rule over 40.
Takato: Well, mine will lead the finest soldiers in all of Japan
Shinji: I beg to differ, my friend ... mine will.
Takato: You think so, eh? We'll see about that ... Plus mine will have the finest ladies by his side.
Shinji: What? With that nose?
Takato: What are you talking about?
Shinji: Dude, come on ... what did you do, push him against the mirror too much? And what's with that mole?
Takato: Well, what about your kid?
Shinji: What about him?
Takato: He's got a head the size of a watermelon, how the hell does he keep that thing up?
Shinji: It's to hold his very large brain.
Takato: (mumbles) More like wasted space if you ask me
Shinji: WHAT?
Takato: Nothing!
Shinji: I don't think I like your attitude!
Takato: Well, I don't think I like your tone.
Shinji: I think it's best if we just leave before I get really angry.
Takato: Oh yeah, go home to mommy, panzy boy!
Shinji: Oh go ... go ... GO FLY A KITE!

Later on ... Takato actually decided to take Shinji's insult literally and was out flying a kite. Shinji then shows up.

Shinji: Hey!
Takato: Hey!
Shinji: Look man, I didn't mean all those things I said earlier.
Takato: Yeah, me neither.
Shinji: Still friends?
Takato: Yeah!
Shinji: Hey, cool kite ... has your sons name on it and everything. I guess great minds think a like because I made one too.
Takato: Cool! Well, let's fly a kite together.

Moments later ...

Shinji: Yeah, this is pretty boring.
Takato: No kidding!

Few minutes later ...

Takato: Bet I can knock your kite down.
Shinji: Bring it on!

And the rest as they say ... is History!

So, anyway to make a long story, even longer, I spent the rest of the day in town sitting at a patio (which I might add is not a common thing in Japan, so it was exciting to find one) and we watched the ninja's ... I mean ... people walk by. Later that evening there was a parade with the community floats carrying people playing traditional Japanese music. Also, ninja's! I tell ya, they're everywhere here!

So, that was the highlight of my Golden Week. Actually, this was my first Golden Week in Japan. Last year I was trekking around Thailand. I can't believe that was a year ago.

OK, so before I close this journal. I just want to clear up a rumor that I'm hearing from people. Apparently I'm never coming back to Canada. Well, that's just wrong ... Yes, I am coming home to Canada. In fact, after I finish up this blog, I am about to write my resignation letter and give them my 4 months notice (yeah it has to be that long in advance). My contract ends the middle of September and I'll be heading home around the end of September. Of course, the question is, for how long? Well ... we'll see!

I'll leave you with that wonderment! Hope all is well with everyone and I'll talk to you all later.

Cheers or I should say Konpai.
Joe