Hanami and Sakura

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 10:46 PM
Subject: Weekly Email

The cherry blossoms (sakura) are in full bloom now. Today was probably close to the peak day. The blooming of the cherry trees is a major event in Japan and is called Hanami. The way to celebrate it is to get a plastic tarp (in the old days a blanket or tatami), a picnic box (bento), and some sake, and go to the park. There you sit under the cherry trees and view the blossoms, talk to your friends, eat, drink, and be merry. If you don't want to bring your food and drink you can buy traditional snacks from a stall and eat them.

We have been working extra hard but yesterday one of the Japanese guys I work with invited me to his home for dinner. Before we went to dinner, we went to the park. The park near his house is a famous one for cherry blossoms called Inokashira Park. There is a nice lake there with koi in it. You can rent a boat shaped like a swan if you want to also. We got some yakitori (chicken grilled on a skewer) and an Ashahi beer and enjoyed the sakura on top of sakurayama (cherry blossom hill). Then we went to his house where his wife fixed a very nice meal.

He lives in a duplex next to his father. The house is small but very nice and uncluttered. His wife was a fan of classical piano and she had a piano as well as a large collection of classical recordings which we listened to. As an appetizer we had salmon and a japanese pickle dish which I made the mistake of putting in the same dish. She fixed an excellent meal of beef bourgeon and a kind of salad. They slurped their salad when they ate it which is considered good manners. Anyway it was a very nice evening.

I ended up working today because we have a package going out tomorrow and we had to get it prepared. My boss is coming in tomorrow evening so this will be a busy week. Then I need to try to get the income tax completed. After that things may slow down.

Best to all, write if you get a minute.

Happy hanami and enjoy the blue bonnets (get a blanket, take some chicken and some beer, and sit and enjoy life)....