Yodogawa night 淀川花火大会

It has been for more than 1 month I have stopped blogging. I have been extremely busy for the past few weeks. I will slowly catch up my blog with all my interesting events. For now, I would like to share about the recent special event I went last Saturday.

On August 9th, I went to Yodogawa hanabi ( firework festival in summer http://japundit.com/archives/2008/08/10/8808/) with my Japanese friend , Ai . Ai is my Yukata teacher, she trained me how to wear yukata and tie the Obi( belt). On Saturday, she came to my apartment to dress up for me as she told me she will be my 'coordinator', Yukata wearing and tie the hair , she has helped to transform me into a 'Japanese lady' for the night !

Ai is the first friend to visit me in my apartment. So I cleaned up the apartment before she came. I have housekeeping every Tuesday but when comes to Saturday , the floor is dusty.After cleaning my apartment, I got ready all the things for the firework festival, Yukata, Geta( Japanese slipper for Yukata), bag, hair pin, 2 fans ( presents from 2 friends), handkerchief.

Let's zoom in to show you my presents and hair assessories I bought.

Fans from Chieko with handkerchief in a set.

Fans with cover from my friends ( Sandro and wife Kana)

Hehe, to complete the Japanese look, I bought the hair assessories to match yukata. Of course normal time I don't wear a flower on my hair :P

Ai's master piece !

We both took a cab to somewhere near Umeda sky building. Once we arrived at the place, it started raining,pouring heavily and we were without umbrella. We both walked in the rain to search for umbrella and our yukata were all wet. hahaha first experience walking in heavy rain! Unforgettable ! I was worried if Ai and me will catch cold.

Umbrealla was sold out and we changed position to somewhere we can see firework better, but the view is blocked by trees and building. One man approached us asking if we want a better viewing place for 1500 yen with a drink, so we took this opportunity. We were allowed to view firework at the balcony of the restaurant, many people were standing and holding umbrella. When it was raining, we thought we got no chance to see firework. But we were so lucky that we found this place ! Good view ! At lasttttttttttt!

The firework session was around 40 min. After that, we were hungry ( Onaka suite). Ai showed me around for restaurants near by. I decided to have Okonomiyaki ( Japanese pizza ! ). After dinner, we took a picture outside restaurant. By that time, my yukata was almost dried hehehe.. my make up also melted kekeke!

Ok ! save the "Best" for the last !

Ai and me in Yukata. Her yukata is very beautiful and suits her,elegant style. This is my beautiful memory of wearing JAPANESE Yukata to JAPANESE summer festival with my good JAPANESE friend, and eating JAPANESE Okonomiyaki after that. haha be Japanese for a night ! Of course, walking in the heavy rain enhanced this memory !