An overdue long weekend (Part 1)

On Friday night, a group of us went to Typhoon for dinner, then headed to the Brazilian bar, Verinha, for some drinks and more food. Hehe. Anyway, it rocked! We made some Brazilian friends as we took over karaoke with our magical voices and amazing back-up dancing skillz. =P But yeah, the ppl there are soo cool...they sang with us and even offered us their food! That is a true sign of friendship right there...you know, just like the Pilgrims and Indians! Haha. Anyway, we definitely need to go more often!

On Saturday, Emily, Ann, Jeff and I went to Veronica's school to watch her perform a "Black Dance" (that's what it said on the sign!) with her students. Silly Japanese kids. Anyway, it was cool and V rocked for being such a good ALT and participating in school functions! Oh, and of course she was awesome in the dance as well!

After leaving V's school, we left and went to the Tatebayashi matsuri (only after a stop at Baskin Robbins, of course). Matsuri are Japanese festivals which occur mostly during summer (stolen directly from Jeff's blog). Anyway, this was my first matsuri of the year, tho I was way too hot to even think about wearing my yukata (summer cotton kimono). It was BOILING AND RAINING outside. NOT a good combo. Anyway, it was cool, nonetheless. Here are some photos!


What a matsuri looks like when there are crowds!


A photo of some Ota and TattyB ALTs!


Fiona is wearing a yukata, taking a picture of her kids, also in yukata!


Henry, Emily and Ann in their yukata


Sweet old ladies dancing


Mikoshi (portable shrine) and the frightened kids they have stand on it while everyone lifts it up and down with their shoulders!


Look! It's Mami and Derrick carrying the mikoshi on their shoulders! Eek!


Naked man 1


Naked boy 1. So yeah, not only do the kids wear these funny-looking thong thingys, GROWN MEN do so as well! Imagine walking down the street w/ men's asses hanging out! Too bad they weren't hot...at least the ones wearing thongs. Interesting, indeed!

Note: Just to warn you, there are plenty more matsuri photos to come as I am attending one or two, every weekend! Yaay cheap entertainment!