I got back into Nagasaki around midnight (travel had taken ~12 hours) and CRASHED. Mai and Carley stayed the night in Fukuoka. That was July 30 and it's not August 1 and they're still not here. Where are you guys?! If they went on a Fukuoka adventure without me...I'm jealous. But I had to come home the 30th because my rail pass expired. Boo.
Anyhoo, last night I went to MINATO MATSURI (literally "port festival"), a summer celebration at the wharf/pier area. The WHOLE FREAKING TOWN rolled out for this event, busting out their Yukatas (summer kimonos), hard wooden flip-flops, lots of small screaming children, and many many fans. It felt as crowded as the Tokyo metro during rush hour. I hate it when the speed at which I comfortably walk is impeded. I secretly want to punch slow-walking people in the back of the head. But I digress.
I originally intended to go for hours, but I didn't have anyone to go with, so I just went for the fireworks show and left after. I would have loved to stay, get a beer, dance by the music stage, eat some shave ice, and just sit and enjoy the illuminated water and many passers-by, but without a companion, I felt no incentive to do so. That's something I've learned while being here: in true extrovert fashion, I need to be with people when I'm out doing fun things. Their companionship feeds and energizes me. Without them, I question whether it's worth it to go at all. (Hence my multiple previous entries about doing stuff alone.) So instead of really enjoying the festival (and spending more money,) I walked home. But it was still beautiful as it was. :)
Getting ready to watch the show: SO MANY PEOPLE!
HANABI!
Another angle
Everyone watching
The beautifully-illuminated wharf area
The little vendors selling yakisoba, takoyaki, kakigoori, etc.
TODAY'S CULTURE TIDBITS
1. Japan is the king of muzak. Hotel elevators, stores, restaurants, sometimes even flowing through the streets (such as the main street my house is by): there is always muzak.
2. Did you know? I don't have house keys for my house. I have a keypad with a secret code that I enter every time. Our house is so high-tech. I'm lucky; one less thing to lose.
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