... Body ache.
FINALLY. I had been waiting for 4 years. ;_;
I had a whole new appreciation for Japanese people - I'd heard about them being efficient and stuff, but had never actually witnessed it until yesterday. Now I think I know why they will survive disasters.
Once we got off the car, I could hear the drummers practicing in the distance and it got me excited and curious. It reminded me a little of the lion dance. Was also a little scared because I didn't know what to expect and thinking about being around people. Japanese people; I wasn't sure what will happen to my Japanese language skill haha.
Obon is awesome, because my camera went low on battery and memory (it has a few pictures in it before Obon). During AMG, I mentioned that I didn't even lose a bar of battery lol. I was honestly shocked. Don't worry, I won't be spamming everything.
I edited most of the pictures to give it a warmer feel. It was time-consuming, so don't photo-steal pls. I'm also trying to get the hang of using my camera!
My cousin Evelyn~ No. 10 down the cousin line.
Such a rare sincere smile XD
Once we entered, there were people handing out fans. Some have cute designs on it, like a man/woman's mouth, while others are just advertisements. I got the advertisement one.
The drums we heard came from here; the main stage.
They were having rehearsals and we ran to the middle of the field to watch it.
It was my first time.
I love how the girls did their hair! They have so much ornaments and clips and its just so pretty.
Is it just me or does Japanese people look especially sweet? They look really, really pretty and handsome. I usually don't get to see Japanese people around my age, but I did caught some during Obon! It felt strange haha.
Customary leg shot?
It was raining before and on the way to Obon, but then the skies brightened a little - not for long though. We walked to the other side of the stadium for the stalls; it was windy and so nice~ If only Malaysia is always like this. *sigh*
On our way, I started to take in surrounding shots and then I spot this Japanese lady sitting on the stairs and waving her arms to the music, seemingly following the rehearsal dance. It was so cute and I just had to take some pictures. /stalker/ You know, I kinda feel guilty but sometimes it a matter of now or never!
Not too long after, somebody came. Her boyfriend or husband. He behaves more like a boyfriend though. He came back from the stalls with shaved ice and I'm guessing they are gonna share it.
He sat down, his smile being the first thing that caught me eye. It was cavity sweet and he was beaming at his girlfriend (let's think of it this way, shall we?). My heart went awww and I just had to take more shots. Dammit. He then gave the bowl of ice to his girlfriend,
and took her picture!
*long and slow breaths*
OK, let's walk to the stalls.
Honestly, I think everywhere looks the same on camera haha. The stalls sold mostly food, drinks and desserts. I would say that their things are cheaper compared to if you buy it at Japanese stores in shopping malls. But it is also expensive compared to local food. Obviously. Just don't think and buy.
But somehow I didn't get to spend much. Not that I'm complaining. XD Its also because there isn't really a lot of choice and I wasn't that hungry.
That boy is CUTE
Gelatos that I never tried
Don't you think this man is cool?
I think he is.
This little guy's hairstyle is like my LINE Play chara's hairstyle
In pictures with Japanese people as the main subject(s), it really looks like I am in Japan lol.
Somehow their pictures will turn out nice.
It must be because I'm not used to it that it looks fascinating.
No editing was done to this picture. It is very nice!
It is after all the best to have nice pictures straight from the camera instead of editing.
Japanese people brought mats and have picnics. Hmm, smart. :)
Actually I think Japanese kids look alike to each other. They have the same kind of face!
The drums that will be played on for the opening ceremony!
We bought CC Lemon because I remembered it from a Japanese girls parkour video and also a bottle of milk tea. Both was pleasantly nice! On another round to the stalls, we also bought ramune to try because I saw it on Micaela's youtube video. Haven't drank it yet but Joey said it was nice.
Yakisoba, RM10 for 2.
The noodles were dry and the egg was tasteless.
We sat at the edge of the field like everybody else. The tracks were really clean and I didn't feel doubtful sitting on it. I think I can sleep on it even. Maybe. On the spot beside us, there was a Japanese family with a picnic mat. At first, only papa and the younger kid were there. She is such a cute button!! >.< Everyone gravitated towards her.
My cousins Evelyn and Elena played with the baby~ It was such a sweet scene. Evelyn was picking up 'soil' from the field. I don't even know what made up that field - the soil and grass looks different.
She is such a joy to be photographed! She makes a really good subject. <3
OH NO...
Pretty mama with her sons casually sitting on a mat with umbrellas.
WHY ARE JAPANESE MAMAS SO HOT!? A majority - if not all - of them are gorgeous.
After walking some more and rounding the stalls, we went back to our sitting place. We wanted so much to take pictures with the cute baby next to us~ So I went over to them.
"Shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka?" I asked her parents and they nodded so I took out my camera, but the baby kept shaking her head lol.
I took ane's photo instead!
After her ane, she came and wanted to take pictures also. XD
She kept standing close to me and then I got my chance~
I have to keep pointing to the camera and asking her to look there.
She is so small in size. >.< Apparently a lot of Japanese kids are small and delicate, I realized. They make my cousins look like giants lol. It was a little weird to watch.
And then it started drizzling - nobody cared. The family with the umbrella just sat there relaxing. And then the rain got heavier and everybody got up to stand under shelter. Nobody made any noise. It was strange.
We helped (OK, actually mom only) our 'neighbour' pack up their stuff and we ran across the field together. The baby sat in the middle of the mat suddenly when everybody was packing. XD The mom was calm and quick and in no time at all, everything was done. No fussing, no hectic kids. Ane was fending herself from the rain and the baby didn't have any complain either. It was a sight to behold.
That's mom's hand
Some boys running around finding for shelter
They don't just let anyone up to the seats. OTZ We had to stand outside until the rain got even heavier only then the man asked us to sit at the stairs to the seats. Luckily not wearing white lol. If not, paiseh until die.
Ruuunnn...!!
Another thing I noticed is that most Japanese people, if they have an umbrella, they'll get up from the seats and exit, preferring to stand somewhere with rain and let other people have shelter. Surprise again...
'Admiring the rain with my dear daughter'
We ran to take shelter at the entrance to the toilet/backstage after that. Our 'neighbour' was there too.
Mama was feeding her kids biscuits and my cousin stood nearby and looked on so she had to give them too. *covers face* Actually all the time I was with them, I have never heard her kids screaming. Or even their voices.
Mom making her laugh - adorable result!
Oh, pretty mama! *.*
I never actually noticed how beautiful she is until then haha.
More so than her imouto, I find that taking pics of ane is wonderful.
I got a lot of great pictures of her. She's not moving a lot so she's not always blurred.
It is so amazing that when ane gets bored, her father just give her a drawing pad
and she'll draw diligently.
There was a lot of people cramped there, so I was glad that I was able to get some pretty decent shots of them. Unsurprisingly, it is hard to get clear pictures of moving kids...
I like this picture I think mama looks especially stunning in it.
I asked mama how old her kids are - the older is 3, and the younger is 1. She asked if I'm good in Japanese; I shook my head and she laughed. She asked if I'm studying it and I answered the affirmative.
Really, really slowly though as I don't have Japanese classes now. *cries* I'm trying to learn kanji by myself currently - oh the sorrow of not being able to read Chinese! Just being able to understand simple Japanese is not enough, I have to be able to speak. That made me realize how much I still have to learn.
'Ain't no care in the world - I'm drawing'
At last the rain ceased, mostly, and we all were force set out. The awaited night time!
I was actually really worried that its gonna rain the whole time and I'll not be able to enjoy Obon, and since it is my first too. There's still so much to happen!
We ran to the middle of the field to the stage to dance! Mainly I just wanted to get some pictures and videos.
Hajimemashou!
Opening words were spoken
Crews and Japanese people surrounded the stage
Opening drum play!
Se no! *hits drum*
People formed circles and began to dance. Joey was kinda excited about this lol.
There were a total of 4 dances, each played twice simultaneously
When a dance is finished, everybody held hands and raise it!
This bokeh effect is from the raindrops on my lens lol.
It actually provides a nice effect on videos, until there's too many drops and it gets annoying.
There were kids in the inner circle too~
This is also a no-edit picture.
The older girl in front really feels the music and dance! She's so beautiful.
Finally they announced the last dance, and it was all over. ;_;
There were local performances too! They were really good. :) I enjoyed it a lot as well; it kinda reminds of NS, all that culture. I'm a sucker for cultures.
I especially enjoyed the Indian dance! It was upbeat and energetic.
At one point, they suddenly grabbed people into their dance! Most were recoiling (me included lol), but some were sporting enough to even volunteer. It was funny.
A Japanese mom and daughter duo that got pulled in
Festive!
Clap clap clap clap
This man with a blue headband was really excited and nice haha
I love this picture :)
And then I could record no more. T^T My memory card was full and it was on the last bar; it was flashing red. I know la.
At the end of the day, the person on the speaker thanked all of us for coming and Auld Lang Syne was played. Why.
The drinks we bought~ Have yet to try all. ^.^
As it is with any other people, Japanese people are warmer if you know how to speak their language. I can only try my best. I will strive for my Japan dream!
Joey kept saying which guy is cute and pointing them out. She almost got off the K-wave and jump to the J-wave haha. As I noticed from going with her to the Japanese new year festival 2 years ago, she really likes them. She says that Japanese people are warm. ^.^
I saw this 2 Japanese youngsters, a boy and a girl. They are so sweet~ (I think 'sweet' is the most used word of this post; I feel so ridiculous that I don't have a wider vocabulary lol.) I seldom see Japanese teens, so it was sooo wonderful to be able to see a few. Their boys are charming. I used to think Japanese boys are just so-so, but now it doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
They are evolving. OAO
I don't look at boys normally, but I find it hard not to look at Japanese boys... *weak laugh* I just want to admire them so much. No, actually girls too.
Makes me wanna go to Japan so much more now. *sigh* I know, I know, but please save $$$ first.
Bye! Thanks for reading!
And oh, pardon the pictures if they are not so good; I'M TRYING. Some of them were so over-exposed or just plain blur that I did the best I could to make them view-able. And I love my camera at night - it takes beautiful pictures.
