Sunday, July 31, 2011

Super Typhoon Muifa

This is Super Typhoon Muifa...currently headed towards Kadena AFB (Okinawa)
You can see on the map where Iwakuni is in relation to this storm....Im hoping it comes this way!
I guess all we can do is wait to see if it shifts to the northeast, rather than the west!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Kintai Lantern Festival Part 2

Between each set of bridge was something written in kanji

Trying to get a picture with the bridge in the back

Bridge with lanterns across it



We had a good time at the Lantern Festival and will go again next year...hopefully we can get 2 more lanterns. My mind is already thinking of what to do with them when we get home to the states!
We also realized that it may be time to invest in a really good camera...

Lantern Festival @ Kintai Bridge

Had to take a picture of the "Chicago Pizza" delivery guy!
This is wrong on so many different levels

Lanterns...we are getting closer

Hmm, a taco truck in Japan

Jon and the Taco Truck


"Garage Wonderland"
We had no idea what they were selling, just liked the name of it!

Emcee of the fashion show

Upcoming fall fashion

More of the fashion show

The oldest models of the fashion show
The man is wearing traditional Japanese Pj's
over a suit..only in Japan!

This green guy is everywhere in Japan
Is he part of Hello Kitty's crew?

This was part of a story we think
They love their fog machines

Kintai Bridge
Just after the sun went down, before all the lanterns

On Sunday July 24th, we headed over to the Kintai Bridge for the Lantern Festival. According to a translated version of the program, the Lantern/Light Festival is a way for the people of Iwakuni City to share the Kintai Bridge with out-of-town guests in both the daylight and night. The festival was free (yea!), except for buying lanterns. Of course we bought 2....really needed 4 to get the full effect, but 2 is enough.
There was activities all day at the Kintai, starting with a flea market. We arrived just after 7:00pm, and there were food vendors everywhere...we have no idea what the food was, but they were there. A big part of the festival is a fashion show...well the Japanese call it fashion. The clothes were interesting, but it made for good entertainment. After the fashion show, there was some sort of story played out with 3 women, a lot of gold and silver glittery clothing, and masks. We have no idea what it was, as it was all in Japanese. Finally the stage shows were done, and the lanterns were lit. Those that paid extra, were escorted to the bridge, and allowed to walk across it to span the entire bridge. Once everyone was across, the bridge lights were turned off, and the bridge was illuminated by lanterns.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Macdonalds are in Iwakuni, Japan!: Hello Typhoon Ma-On...now leave!

The Macdonalds are in Iwakuni, Japan!: Hello Typhoon Ma-On...now leave!: "Ok so I have had enough of this storm. Jon's alarm went off at 0455, but who needed one with the wind howling outside. The wind has literal..."

Ok, so here it is Wednesday July 20, and I look at the tracker and it has changed....on my page. I guess it makes no sense to post the storm, if it is going to keep changing on my page!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Hello Typhoon Ma-On...now leave!


Ok so I have had enough of this storm. Jon's alarm went off at 0455, but who needed one with the wind howling outside. The wind has literally been blowing all day long. We have had a little bit of rain, but more wind. The next couple of days will be nothing but rain, as the storm dies out, and heads towards Tokyo.

Sunset Bike Ride


Dorks!!

Sunset in the hills over the lotus plants!

Another sunset shot!

Looking away from the sunset...see the lonely Lotus Flower

Monzen River

Monzen River looking out towards the sea

Mean little crab!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Garden Update

Edamame and Chives

This was a houseplant that did not like being indoors...guess it likes t outside

This dragonfly followed me everywhere in the yard. I guess it wanted its picture taken

Lots of zucchini plants...I can't wait

Round 2 of cucumbers...I swear this cukie was not there yesterday!

Unhappy tomato plant
Jon had to move it because the cucumber plant was wrapping itself around the vines
Oh well, it still has about 10 tomatoes on it

There has to be some kind of radiation over here
These flowers have quadrupled in size, and keep growing

Happy flower garden