April 5, 2009, Sakura Festival at Senzoku-ike Park

April is my favourite month in many ways. It marks the end of my hated season, which is Winter, shifting to the best season that is Spring. It is also the month where the famous Sakura blooms (Cherry Blossoms) boasting magnificent scenery and a relaxing atmosphere.. well not so, since a lot of people go and see them. Eating, drinking and talking under the aura of these amazing trees, people flock the parks and the places where these are, setting mats and stools in a picnic-like manner. Drinking beers and "sake", with a lot of "yaki" (roasts); "takoyaki" (octopus), "yakitori" (chicken), "yakiniku" (meat, pork or beef), "yakisoba" (soba - a type of noodle) and others. For some reason, a lot of vendors set their booths around these areas during these events, some even have tables and chairs that really looked like restaurants where you can sit down, eat and drink your beers, in a more comfortable fashion.

I went with my wife at around 5PM hoping to get dusk shots, and praying that maybe the place will not be that packed, but when we got there, OMG, hundreds of people are still there, even at that hour and to think, it was a Sunday, hence, work for the next day... uh-oh.. I had a feeling that they will be there until midnight. It is indeed a festival.

The place is just 2 stations from our apartment, in fact, the park is one of our jog destinations. It is huge with a man made lake that caters to a good number of wild ducks and swans, including some gulls and doves. The lake also has a huge population of "koi" (colorful japanese carps). I noted the biggest to be a meter long. It felt like a monster with its bone structure crooked, but it moves so slow. Well it is for sure ancient.

The "Sakuras" are in full bloom, well except the pink ones, these bloom late.

Took a few pictures but our real challenge is to get good dusk and night shots, that is why we brought our tripod. We actually got a few good ones (wink). We drank beers and ate "takoyaki" and "karage" (fried chicken with no bones) while we waited for the best time to take the shot.

Stayed until 7PM and went home. It was a good experience.

April 4, 2009, African Festival Yokohama 2009 at Akarenga

As an Embassy staff, I needed to be at this event, the 3rd African Festival in Yokohama at Akarenga (Red Brick Warehouse) near Minato Mirai, the famous landmark of Yokohama, where literally, the Landmark Tower is located. I'm there not only for my job, but also for fun. I can hear the Immigration Officer say, Welcome to Yokohama, you are visiting for "Business of Pleasure"? and I answered.. "Uh.. Both!"


I came with my wife and we enjoyed the African food and live music during lunch (1PM). The rhythmic thumping of tribal drums and chanting of ancient vocals was a perfect display of the colorful culture of this continent of hope. Africa is known to be the "Cradle of Life" and from the artifacts and the handicrafts exhibited here, it might be, because it seems so "Earthly".



In the backdrop of the Festival, a Flower Garden was also in display. Tourists from all over the Kanto region flocked to this venue, wielding their cameras, pointing and shooting at the magnificent flower formations.


At about 3PM, on this cloudy Saturday, people suddenly gathered around the back portion of the Flower Garden and there it was, a wedding occurring in the middle of this most public site. It was just breath-taking.


Regardless of the onlookers, I thought that it was a perfect wedding. A Japanese bride, married a Black American, and I'd say he's maybe Military or a rapper.. (Ironic).

Later that night, I closed the booth and went on shooting for something poetic. Captured a few shots from here and there. I forgot my tripod so everything was hand held.