where have WE been?

Contrary to what you might think- we ARE still here! ahha! i have a TON of photos...but i will have to break it up ...so i will start with last weekend.
last weekend we had the pleasure of attending a local Cherry blossom Festival! SOOOOO fun!!
apparently VB's sister city in Miyazaki, Japan! (who knew, right?) so we were able to attend this annual festival. there were people there demonstarting traditional painting techniques, martial arts, japanese music, and traditional (and non traditional) dress. I am SOOOO excited about these kind of things!!! and there are a TON of them going on this summer!!! so here we go:

hmmmm....yes this is how some of the kids dress in japan...i have seen this *look* on TV. interesting....
here is another interesting outfit.....unfortunately, i didn't get my camera out soon enough to catch the GROUP of about 8 mallrats (i say this because they were seriously talking about going to the mall) who were dressed this way....quite a site to behold!!!
i just thought this HILARIOUS---in case you aren't CLEAR-----that is a DOG stroller!!!! and note that the dog is being CARRIED!!!! WHAT?!!! i have seen these advertised...but not in public....seriously people....get a life.

okay, on to the traditional parts:

a demonstation of the Okinawin Drum- there is another name...but i don't recall it.

i belive this was originally used as a war drum.

since i know you were wondering where my man MAC was- heres a photo. love this smile!

Bonsai exhibit- i like the little statue- nice touch!

these guys were COOL!!! "sword" fighting- sort of...but not in this shot...i liked the masks...another nice touch....

hahah- this was the face MAC made when he saw a lady walking barefoot through the mud- he was majorly grossed out!!! note the sludge behind him...the ground was SUPER soggy!!!

this was supposed to be an "interactive" exhibit. demonstrating.....Gyotaku. any guesses?

yeah, Japanese FISH PAINTING----yeah, fortunately we missed out on the FISH part. apparently, you paint a DEAD fish, put it on the paper ,and then build the rest of the painting around the outline of the poor fishes BODY!!! ummmmmm.....GROSS!!!! we missed out because the fish were getting "gross"...YA THINK???

another interactive exhibit (not involving dead animals): calligraphy....MAC wrote "river" and "heart"... i think i will frame it...we will see.

THIS was my favorite!!! the Koto (a zither)..beautiful....they had about 8 performers....it was SOOOO peaceful. :)

the Sanshin- nice i guess....i prefer the Koto.

J- Doodle.....

What would a festival be without a HOT DOG?!

More Martial arts demonstrations: these guys were cool!!! at one point they had something like 2 small scythes...they would yell the commands and get SOOOO close to eachothers heads that you could hear people catch their breathe! awesome!

this sweet lady allowed me to take her photo---those of you who know MAC can imagine how THRILLED he was!! not as bad as when he met the Easter bunny (see the VERY bottom of the page) (ROFL!)....but still a priceless face!!!

anywhoo, it was a pleasant afternoon...free admission and entertainment. all we had to pay for was food and souveniers....so about $18!!

next month: American Indian Festival/ Pow Wow....that will be fun!!!! oh yes, we have some SUPER cool things planned....tune in next time!!! LUV2YA!