Today I lived dangerously. That's right. I did something very against all the rules and protocols of Japan. You ready for it? I walked across the road during a green light. **gasp**
The Japanese refuse to cross the street if there is a green light or if the "little green walk man" has not appeared. In the city I can understand, however we are talking every single street and alley. There may not be a car in sight and yet they will still stand there, right at the curb, waiting for the light to change. (I swear Japanese can make a careers out of waiting.) And if you cross the road "illegally" you will hear someone gasp. We are so used to waiting by now that if we see someone cross when they shouldn't we always joke about them being a rebel.
I am very impatient, so I really hate being a good girl and waiting for the light to change. And today when Emily and I were carrying 6 bags of grocery's a mile up the hill (no joke) I threw all caution to the wind and took a walk on the wild side –– I crossed the street when the light was green. I am so going to Japanese hell.
Showing posts with label lights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lights. Show all posts
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Kobe Luminarie
Monday night our family decided to brave the queue and head out to see the Kobe Luminarie. The kids were excited to put off doing homework and head downtown for an evening.
The Kobe Luminarie takes place every December and is a memorial to the loss suffered from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Its purpose was to help bring a message of hope and rebuilding to the people of Kobe after that horrible tragedy.
Picture thousands of people standing in lines and moving like cattle being led out to pasture around several blocks of the city. Over 5 million people see this light show over 10 days. We were given the advice to go early as it could take hours to get through the queue to finally walk through the lights. (People will start lining up over an hour before the lights are actually turned on)
At certain points police officers will stop the crowd from moving to allow cars and other people to cross through the line.
The lights themselves are beautiful. Each light is hand painted and was a gift from the Italian government. They look like tiny ceramic tiles.
When you turn the corner towards the end of the queue literally hundreds of people are stopped taking photos of the lights. You have to push and maneuver yourself through the crowd to just get through. As you walk through the tunnel of lights you will hear music and a story of some sort being told in Japanese.
At the end of the tunnel is another lighting, this one just as beautiful as the tunnel of lights.
Near this light exhibit are bunches of food stalls and places to buy souvenirs. You can try many different foods, such as yakitori (meat on a stick), mochi (Japanese rice cake) or even grilled corn on the cob.
It was a nice outing as a family. To us it was just some pretty lights and yummy fair food. To many of the Japanese people, the Kobe Luminarie is something that is emotional and heartfelt, remembering one of Kobe's greatest tragedies.
The Kobe Luminarie takes place every December and is a memorial to the loss suffered from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Its purpose was to help bring a message of hope and rebuilding to the people of Kobe after that horrible tragedy.
Picture thousands of people standing in lines and moving like cattle being led out to pasture around several blocks of the city. Over 5 million people see this light show over 10 days. We were given the advice to go early as it could take hours to get through the queue to finally walk through the lights. (People will start lining up over an hour before the lights are actually turned on)
At certain points police officers will stop the crowd from moving to allow cars and other people to cross through the line.
The lights themselves are beautiful. Each light is hand painted and was a gift from the Italian government. They look like tiny ceramic tiles. 
When you turn the corner towards the end of the queue literally hundreds of people are stopped taking photos of the lights. You have to push and maneuver yourself through the crowd to just get through. As you walk through the tunnel of lights you will hear music and a story of some sort being told in Japanese.
At the end of the tunnel is another lighting, this one just as beautiful as the tunnel of lights.
Near this light exhibit are bunches of food stalls and places to buy souvenirs. You can try many different foods, such as yakitori (meat on a stick), mochi (Japanese rice cake) or even grilled corn on the cob.
It was a nice outing as a family. To us it was just some pretty lights and yummy fair food. To many of the Japanese people, the Kobe Luminarie is something that is emotional and heartfelt, remembering one of Kobe's greatest tragedies.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Hollywild Here We Come
The gymnastics meet was 4.5 hours away from where we live, right along the NC/SC border. Shannon came to watch Em from her new house in Greenville, SC and she recommended taking the kids to Hollywild to see the Christmas lights and go through the enchanted forest. So the level 5 team set out for SC and headed to Hollywild. (kinda sounds like we made the American Idol finals huh?)
The kids had a blast. You load as many people in a car that you can and drive through a 100 acre park with lions, bears, leopards, and other wild animals (they are in their own fences) to see thousands of holiday lights.
Some of the lights during the drive through the park.
Lights on the lake.
Then you drive into the "enchanted forest" and park your car. Inside the enchanted forest there are hundreds of deer, along with some donkeys, zebras and buffalo. These animals will come right up to the car and eat seed corn out of your hand! It was amazing.
Deer eating out of Shannon's hand.
One of the herds of deer inside the enchanted forest.
Some of the girls waiting for deer to come eat.
Emily and Alex looking for the deer outside of their car. (as you can tell Shannon and I were crowned the toddler car. We didn't get any of the cool older kids with us. Just Sam and David)
After you leave the enchanted forest there is a petting zoo where you can feed milk to the baby goats, feed camels and feed the largest cows I have ever seen (they weighed 3,600 pounds!!)
Sami feeding a baby goat!
Giant cows from Africa.
Needless to say if you ever make it to South Carolina around Christmas time I recommend making your way to Hollywild. Especially if you have young kids. This is what they will look like afterwards.
Nighty-night!
The kids had a blast. You load as many people in a car that you can and drive through a 100 acre park with lions, bears, leopards, and other wild animals (they are in their own fences) to see thousands of holiday lights.
Some of the lights during the drive through the park. 
Lights on the lake. Then you drive into the "enchanted forest" and park your car. Inside the enchanted forest there are hundreds of deer, along with some donkeys, zebras and buffalo. These animals will come right up to the car and eat seed corn out of your hand! It was amazing.
Deer eating out of Shannon's hand. 
One of the herds of deer inside the enchanted forest. 
Some of the girls waiting for deer to come eat.
Emily and Alex looking for the deer outside of their car. (as you can tell Shannon and I were crowned the toddler car. We didn't get any of the cool older kids with us. Just Sam and David)After you leave the enchanted forest there is a petting zoo where you can feed milk to the baby goats, feed camels and feed the largest cows I have ever seen (they weighed 3,600 pounds!!)
Sami feeding a baby goat!
Giant cows from Africa.Needless to say if you ever make it to South Carolina around Christmas time I recommend making your way to Hollywild. Especially if you have young kids. This is what they will look like afterwards.
Nighty-night!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
