Awaiting

So those of you who got to experience me in a sari, either in pictures or in person and had a good ole giggle, get ready for a fun post.

Aiko, a teacher at my school, had invited myself and Shiori (one of my students and her friend) to a festival at her Aunt's home town in Gifu. We were staying at her aunts parents home, a real traditional japanese house. There was no furniture except a low table. Every one just flopped out on the floor. All the rooms were seperated by paper screens. Despite the nasty heat and humidity, the wind seemed to know where to blow to make it just perfect. In the afternoon we just chilled out, went for a walk, saw a waterfall and ate an obscene amount of Kobe beef.

And then the fun started!

Aiko had brought three of her mam's yukata (summer kimono) for me to pick from and they'd chosen a pretty white one with blue and yellow flowers. But the freaky gaijin was too tall so we borrowed some from her aunts family who were closer to my size. So her aunt twirled me around and ....

Then we headed out to the festival. Its a dance festival and takes place almost every night for a couple of months, every so often being an all nighter! Last night wasn't an all nighter but we got there at 9 and at midnight when we left the were still going strong.

Think line dancing in a circle. Think live traditional japanese music. Think synchronicity. Think grace. Think beautiful elegant yukatas. Now imagine a clumsy red head in the mix! I'm surprised they didn't revoke my visa.


I'm not sure my hair has forgiven me for the amount of gel they put in, and I don't think my feet will ever forgive me for wearing wooden blocks about 3 sizes too small for dancing. But to be honest it was all worth it, a real experience and a good giggle for you lot too.