July 2, 2011 - Independence Day Party. This
was now our second year for this party making it an annual
event. We had a good turnout and of course lit fireworks
which are still legal in Japan....you can purchase them at
the local Walmart, AKA Seiyu. Still plenty of Summer within
the next few months for more fun in the sun. |
July 3, 2011 - Impromptu BBQ Party. Hey
best way to get rid of all the food from a party....make
another. Invited family and a few friends to join us for a
feast of basically old food from the day before. |
July 17, 2011 - Kyoto - Gion Matsuri. Woke
up at 4:00 am and was out of the house at 5:15 am in order
to get a good spot on the street to watch the parade of
yamaboko (floats) which begin at 9:00 am. Found a nice spot
on the shaded side of the street in front of a jazz themed
coffee shop. Watched the entire four hour event. We walked
around Kyoto for hours then went to Osaka for dinner and
shopping. |
July 23, 2011 - Kobe - Suma Beach. Today
was a special day. Shai turned 2 years old and it was the
first time for all of us to visit Kobe and a beach in Japan.
This place was really cool and reminded me of Ocean Beach
back in San Diego, California. The sand was pretty course
compared to California beaches but it was still nice. Really
nice to be able to drink on the beach. Shai
was really getting a lot of attention from all the young
pretty girls on the beach. He seemed very happy to make a
lot of new friends. He spent the entire day playing in the
ocean and on the sand. |
July 24, 2011 - BBQ Party With Family. Another
BBQ Party, this time with family to celebrate Shai turning 2
years old. We finished barbecuing minutes before a mega
thunderstorm. Thanks to the new patio cover we were able to
hang outside during the storm before coming in the house. Shai really liked the
thunder and lightning. Seems like he is on the road to
becoming a little science geek. |
July 30, 2011 - Summer BBQ Party. Another
monthly party....um this month. The theme this time was
Summer BBQ which got off to a rough beginning. It was
pouring rain for hours. Because of the rain, a train
accident, and a few friends working, the turnout was a bit
less than expected but still managed about 25 people
including those who went home before the customary group
picture. |
July 31, 2011 - Sakurai - Onbara
Fireworks Festival. Today
the three of us went to a fireworks festival which is pretty
famous in Nara, Japan. We ate a lot of food, drank a lot of
beer, and met many cool people. |