2015-07-25, A Fun Packed Day

The heat index was at 105F but it seemed to be a little less humid than usual and so it didn't feel so bad.  Luckily.  Because there were so many fun things going on today.  The day began as is usual these days, with the cicadas waking me up before 6 am.  I  can never believe how loud they are, and  there's a park right outside my window which seems to be home to loads of them.   So I had a nice relaxing morning and at about 9:30 I set out to meet my friend Cindy and her husband Shin.  I rode to the swimming area that's about 20 minutes away to see the Birdman Rally.  Teams from universities, or on their own, build flying machines and compete for distance, height, etc.  

Today the gliders were flying.

They brought the gliders in pieces and assembled them on the spot.

There was a helicopter and a drone (which was really wierd and sort of creepy - like a big flying bug) filming.
The boats you see will 'pick up the 'pilots' and bring back the remains of the gliders.

The guy in red is a famous comedian and a number of people had their pictures taken with him.
He was part of (maybe the sponsor of) one of the teams.

After assembling and waiting the teams walked their gliders to the take-off
 area where they had to wait again - in the blazing hot sun.

Cindy and Shin san

This was a beautiful glider - the wings curved up after take-off and
it looked like a crane.  Besides being pretty it went pretty far. 

The take-off platform.  Some of the gliders went about 200 meters, others went 20 or so
 - really they pretty much just fell off  the platform.  You had to feel sorry for them - all the
time, work and money that went into their projects.

I don't think it would have been so much fun without company since most of the time we were just waiting.  The flights would last for a few seconds to a minute but the wait between planes was probably 1/2 an hour.  The pedal powered propellor planes will fly tomorrow and then they'll hold the

finals will also take place.  I haven't decided if I'll go back.  It would be nice to see but it will 

be just as hot and sunny, more crowded and I won't have company...

We had a little snack - the cafe had run out of real food and around 1:30 I took off to go to my Japanese class / party.  There won't be any classes in August so they decided to have a pizza party and 3 women came to play the koto for us.  I love koto music.  Someone also brought 2 wedding kimonos that they had us try on.  They're very heavy and were evidently worn over regular kimonos, I think they were taken off after the ceremony.  Now brides sometimes wear them for pictures but

they usually get married in wedding gowns.

After class I went home for a quick shower and a little rest.  Then into town to meet Cindy and Shin san again and to go to a festival.  It was a festival for locals with lots of kid's activities, some college bands and young dancers, and of course festival food.  It's really nice to see all the girls and young women wearing yukata (light summer kimonos).  Yukata really convey the feelings of summer.  And everyone looks so good in them.

You could buy a plate of cut vegetables to feed to the animals (with tongs).

Children could try their hand at making flower bouquets or using power tools.

One of my students.

We each had a stick of yakitori (bbq chicken on a stick).

This is a fun summer thing I've never done.  Thin cooked noodles (somen) are washed down the
chute with water and you're supposed to catch them with your chopsticks, dip them in a light sauce and enjoy.

Catch the goldfish.

Absolutely delicious local Omi beef.  We shared one - unbelievably good!!!

Already a fun-packed day but it wasn't over.  Next stop dinner!  Cindy and Shin san go out a lot and one of their favorite places ('heaven' as Cindy refers to it) serves steamed oysters, 

and other delicious dishes.

They come frozen - they're from near Hiroshima.

An acerola soda, boiled, seasoned chicken skin, and a Korean salad.

The oysters steam in that giant teapot.

What's left of some delicious fried chicken (kara age) and tofu with chopped meat.

When the oysters are ready the waitress demonstrates how to open them and then
gives the customers gloves and knives and they do the rest.

After a yummy dinner, made all the better by good company we walked back to our bikes
and parted ways since they live in the opposite direction.  It was a very nice day.