Yabusame Ikimashou!
It`s reconfirmed -- I love Japan.
Today, I was lazy. Very, very lazy. Woke up late, didn`t have class, goofed off on my computer, and finally got up like a half hour before I needed to be at the church to meet up with people for yabusame (horseback archery). Bad me. I think I amused the grandma and my host mother though. Well, they probably think I`m cute all the time. Though there was that one time Asuka-neesan and Okaasan were commenting about how the Japanese think Americans have big cheeks or something... Either way, yeah.
Bike ride was much more hazardous on the way there with so many people out and about now. Plus it was later in the day, that might`ve made it worse, too. But I got there and didn`t hit anyone and we all headed out (all, eight of us? - those who didn`t have plans with host families) and waited around for a bit, then got pretty close to the outdoor building where the procession went and they had a lot of ceremony stuff. I think they gave tea to each of the participants in a gold teapot thingy and gave the arrows to the archers. Everybody was in way awesome outfits, from each of the different periods from Heian Jidai (Heian Era) onward. I relinquished my front row standing spot to a cute Japanese girl, she of course refused at first, but I kept offering. Then they moved in a processional again to mount the horses. Couldn`t see much, I`m short, remember? But we saw two or three mount, then hurried to try and get a good spot for the actual event. One of the horses was fussy and dumped his rider when they were walking to the beginning spot. So, they did it again. After much waiting, the actual event happened. At first, I couldn`t see much, but I kept pushing forward, some nice Australians offered me a good spot, and two of the boys in the group started lifting me up in a scout type hold - making a box out of their hands/upper arms - so I could video tape it on digital cameras. Thus, I have awesome video. Which...I hope to get online sometime. *crosses fingers*
But...after that, I made tentative plans to go shopping on Friday with the group, then went home - tried Pochino Sweat drink on the way there, way good! - and goofed off on computer. Asuka and I went out to the Depatoo to goof off after dinner (Curry and seafood salad, tasty salmon sashimi) and then we discussed electronic dictionary options afterwards. Took a bath and am now goofing off for too long.
So, until next time!
Ja, mata!
Today, I was lazy. Very, very lazy. Woke up late, didn`t have class, goofed off on my computer, and finally got up like a half hour before I needed to be at the church to meet up with people for yabusame (horseback archery). Bad me. I think I amused the grandma and my host mother though. Well, they probably think I`m cute all the time. Though there was that one time Asuka-neesan and Okaasan were commenting about how the Japanese think Americans have big cheeks or something... Either way, yeah.
Bike ride was much more hazardous on the way there with so many people out and about now. Plus it was later in the day, that might`ve made it worse, too. But I got there and didn`t hit anyone and we all headed out (all, eight of us? - those who didn`t have plans with host families) and waited around for a bit, then got pretty close to the outdoor building where the procession went and they had a lot of ceremony stuff. I think they gave tea to each of the participants in a gold teapot thingy and gave the arrows to the archers. Everybody was in way awesome outfits, from each of the different periods from Heian Jidai (Heian Era) onward. I relinquished my front row standing spot to a cute Japanese girl, she of course refused at first, but I kept offering. Then they moved in a processional again to mount the horses. Couldn`t see much, I`m short, remember? But we saw two or three mount, then hurried to try and get a good spot for the actual event. One of the horses was fussy and dumped his rider when they were walking to the beginning spot. So, they did it again. After much waiting, the actual event happened. At first, I couldn`t see much, but I kept pushing forward, some nice Australians offered me a good spot, and two of the boys in the group started lifting me up in a scout type hold - making a box out of their hands/upper arms - so I could video tape it on digital cameras. Thus, I have awesome video. Which...I hope to get online sometime. *crosses fingers*
But...after that, I made tentative plans to go shopping on Friday with the group, then went home - tried Pochino Sweat drink on the way there, way good! - and goofed off on computer. Asuka and I went out to the Depatoo to goof off after dinner (Curry and seafood salad, tasty salmon sashimi) and then we discussed electronic dictionary options afterwards. Took a bath and am now goofing off for too long.
So, until next time!
Ja, mata!