You wouldn't guess it from the gusty winds, endless rainshowers and grey skies, but springtime has arrived in New Zealand! And to my pleasant surprise it brought with it an abundance of blooming cherry blossom trees, all proudly showing off their pink sakura petals. Before moving to Fukuoka I barely noticed these trees but now they've become almost synonomous with everything I love(d) about Japan: the country's passion for ancient traditions, the elaborate festivities marking the changes of seasons, and the Japanese love for aesthetic details. With our life being completely in limbo these days, it's somehow comforting to find some familiarity in our surroundings (for me at least).
So in between downpours earlier this week, Vaughan & I held a mini hanami picknick in honour of our two years in Japan. We had no friends to share this occasion with, and the sake and sushi were replaced by hot tea and homebaked lemon muffins, but the spirit was there nonetheless :-). Here's to all our friends in Japan, with a special thank you to Yukino for her many e-mails, and to Yasuko and Masako for two wonderful care packages that arrived in New Plymouth last week. Arigato gozaimasu!!
2 comments:
brings back memories yeah! the last 2 years we have spent hanami together...i don't know what i'm gonna do this year?!?
Certainly brings back memories seeing a photo like that!
(Did you also get to witness NZ's defeat to France in the rugby?)
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