 July 24, 2010 -
Shai's Birthday party at our house. Akiko
made two cakes. An American style cake and a Japanese style
cake representing both cultures. Pretty
much all the neighbors showed up. It
was a really nice party.Shai
playing with new toys before the party. |
 Shai
playing again. |
 Shai
playing again. |
 Shai
playing again. |
 My
family was with us in spirit. |
 Party
room. |
 Akiko
made two cakes. An American style cake and a Japanese style
cake representing both cultures. |
 Us
with family. |
 Us. |
 Us
with family. |
 Pretty
much all the neighbors showed up. |
 It
was a really nice party. |
|
July 24, 2010 - Email
Message - Jim, Linda.
Hi. Me and Akiko were really happy to chat with you guys during the party. Hey
sorry about all the noise. There were actually 22 people going in and out of
this small house. Shai really seemed to enjoy himself. Anyway it is almost 100
degrees today and we are all really uncomfortable. Definitely hoping to make
some money and move back to SD within the next few years. Send email when you
can.
Howie, Akiko. |
Onbara Festival and
Fireworks
July 31, 2010
- Onbara Festival and
Fireworks at Mimoro Mountain,
Miwa, Sakurai, Nara, Japan. |
 Shai
on the train. |
 Shai
thinks he is driving the train. |
 Us
on the train. |
 Heading
to the small town on a one line track. |
 Train
was packed with people. |
 Small
town train station. |
 Walking
in the small town on the way to the fireworks. |
 Yup
we bought beer from this vending machine. |
 Packed
with people. |
 A
few girls trying to hit on Shai. |
 Yatai
(food stand) selling octopus balls, um not what you think.
These are little batter balls with a chunk of octopus
inside. Pretty much a standard sale item at these events.
You can see the octopus in the foreground. |
 Sun
setting in the background. |
 Some
food we bought. |
 Shai
getting ready to watch the fireworks. |
 We
found our watching spot. |
 Us. |
 Me
and the little dude. |
 Me
and the little dude. |
 Akiko
and the little dude. |
 Akiko
and the little dude. |
 Us. |
 Us. |
 Grand
finale. |
 Shai
on the train ride home. |
 Shai
on the train ride home. |
 Some
people we met on the train. |
 Shai
really enjoyed himself. |
 July
31, 2010 - Nara Park Light Up Event (Tokae). This is the fifth time to stay in Japan
but the first time to go to this event. Called Tokae, this
nighttime event features the lighting of 10,000 candles
throughout Nara Park with a stage at one end of the park
where a jazz band performed. As usual many yatai (food
stalls) were set up selling anything from takoyaki (fried
octopus) to French fries. Nice event, but while eating, spent
half of the time pushing away a few of the estimated 1,200
deer roaming the park looking for an easy meal. |
Hanging
out with the neighbors.
Really
fun party.
Getting
ready to do fireworks.
Fireworks.
Happy
Birthday to you.
Yeah
cake.
Go
ahead and make a mess.