Full Bloomin' Sakura

This weekend we experienced one of the best reasons to be in Japan, Hanami season! Hanami means "Viewing the flowers", but in real Japan-speak it means "Drunken parties with your friends under the Sakura trees." On Saturday we had our first Hanami with our new Japanese class. The weather was kinda blah and the white sky sort of washed out the flowers, but regardless the time was well spent. However, God decided to give us a break and on Sunday the sun shone and the sky was an intense blue. The park that we went to that was deserted with a few scattered, shivering Moriokans was now busting out of the seams with parties, bright blue tarps, and singing from various musicians. We had our second Hanami party with people from a cafe that we frequent. Nothing could have beaten our Hanami. We had great food, great conversation, and even a Charlie Chaplin mime. He was excellent! The colors of the sky made the flowers extra pink and nothing was more beautiful then that day. It was even worth not drinking just to enjoy the view before it would go away. But of course... we did drink. Because not even alcohol could have made us overlook the beautiful scenery that was surrounding us.






Hanami Kanpai!