Illuminations along Peace Blvd

We went to see the Illuminations along Peace Blvd on a very cold Hiroshima evening.  The blvd was packed with people.  Many of them were dressed up in costume and posing for pictures.  The Illuminations light up from late November to early January.  I hope you enjoy some of our pictures from that night. 

Sound of Music for Festive Eve December 6, 2013

The stage is set

Hiroshima International School puts on a Festive Eve performance each year.  This year they performed The Sound of Music on December 6th.  Jack knew immediately that he would try out for a speaking/singing part.  He learned all of the songs and was prepared for his audition.  He was selected to be a "soldier".  He had a few lines in the last scene and was super excited.  He learned all of his lines with no help from us.  He has my dad's memory for sure.  He also performed with his class.  He was "the prince" in the Lonely Goatherd.  Andy chose not to try out, but he still had to perform in the chorus and with his class.  Novelynn played her violin throughout the show.

Waiting for the show to start

The anticipation is building.  The boy to Jack's right is Nils Sandmann.  They are great friends.  Andy is patiently waiting on the other end.  He wasn't as excited as Jack.

Singing with the entire ensemble

Jack as "the prince" in the Lonely Goatherd

More Goatherd

Dancing

Jack preparing for his debut as "a soldier".

Still waiting

Yay Jack!  He didn't miss a beat.

Jack and Captain Von Trapp

Grande Finale

Great job Jack!

After the show.


A great time was had by all.  Jack is already looking forward to the next performance in the Spring.

New Year's Day the Japan Way

In Japan, many people watch the sunrise on New Year's Day. Angela and I got to watch the New Year's sun rise over the Pacific Ocean years ago in Souma, Fukushima. We wanted the kids to experience this Japanese tradition, too. So after staying up past midnight to see the the New Year in, we went to bed and rolled out again at 6 AM.  We put on several layers of warm clothes, and rode our bikes in the dark to the foot of Futaba Mtn (about 1.25 miles away). Then we started our ascent up the small mountain, passing through the "ootori" gates below as we went, except it was quite dark and we had to use a flash light.

Ootori (Shinto-shrine gates) up Futaba-yama

Going through the ootori.

Though it was cold enough riding our bikes to Futaba, after climbing up it (about 325 feet up), we had to take a layer or two off.  We had just got to the top here. There was a good breeze going, so those layers didn't stay off too long.

Warmed up, and ready

The pre-dawn sky overlooking downtown Hiroshima

A couple of minutes before the sun rose, two Buddhist priests came and walked around the top, chanting.

Chanting Buddhist priests

Seconds away to the start of a brand new day!

Sunrise has begun

Moving on up

Just a little more...

All the way up!

 

Some of the others watching it with us

The people above us laughing and having a good time

Starting the New Year off right in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Happy New Year!  (Now let's go get warm.)