Summer Nights- Festivals

This is the last in my series of summer entries.  There are many other things to talk about, but we put the duvet in the duvet cover, and I'm wearing sweatpants in the house.  So I think it's time to put this topic to bed.
I've saved the best for last.  Festivals are probably the coolest part about summer in Tokyo.  It seemed like there was a different festival every week.  Each neighborhood had their own, and sometimes each ethnic group had their own too.  We enjoyed a Thai festival, a food festival, a dancing festival, a fireworks festival, a festival featuring a giant duck, one with lots of paper mache characters, and one across the street from our home.

Turning summer melons into works of art at the Thai Festival in Ueno Park

The Thai Festival was back in June, but I can still taste the amazing green papaya salad we ate that day.  While there is no shortage of Thai restaurants in Tokyo, everything is usually super sweet and there is hardly any spice to anything.  The food at the festival however, did not disappoint.  If you've never tried green papaya salad (sometimes they also offer green mango salad), please order some the next time you're at Kanlaya on 6th Street or at any of the great places in Wheaton (Ruan Thai, and Nava Thai are two favorites).  It's the perfect combination of crunchy shredded vegetables, sweet and sour fruit, and spicy and salty sauce.  Trust me.

A fun demo on Thai boxing

In July, we had the pleasure of attending a small festival in Sugamo.  This was one of my favorites.  Festivals tend to be crazy crowded (see Asagaya Tanabata Festival), but this was just a local one so you felt like everyone there knew everyone else.  It was a hot summer night that was plagued with random sprinkling rain, but that didn't stop everyone from dancing, singing, and having a good time.

Dancing in a circle- see all the pretty ladies in yukata?

Even the Sugamo duck was dancing!

A week later, we decided to check out a more well known festival in Asagaya.  This festival was to celebrate Tanabata.  While all the paper mache characters were fun, this was just way too crowded.  I think our trio of guests was overwhelmed by all the people!

August 7th in Asagaya

Mario!

Two weekends ago was our local festival.  This one was great because it was just across the street (meaning we could run back to our place to use the facilities after a few too many beers).  I love to see all the kids playing games while their parents sit around eating and drinking.  We tried our hand at a game but we were unsuccessful in winning a turtle.  Wouldn't it be cool to have a little pet here in Tokyo?  Oh well- these things are never easy to win.

A kid pulls a string to get a prize.  The "kid" I was with was convinced he would win a DS but got a yo-yo instead.

Pull a plastic toy out of the water and check the bottom to see if you got lucky.

         
In this video, the dude who was running the turtle game makes it look so easy to scoop up a little guy and get him in the miso soup bowl.  We weren't so lucky.  But aren't they cute?!

Sit and eat yakitori that's grilled right in front of you.  Draft beer comes out the machines on the right.

By far, the best thing about this festival though, was the carrying of the portable shrines.  These kinds of things are so interesting to me.  Back home, we all have different beliefs and religions, but here most people are Shinto followers.  I still don't know much about this, but I loved watching all the action (and outfits)!

A practice session in the afternoon- before all the chaos that night.

One of several shrines that went by.  Bells ringing, people screaming- good stuff.

This particular festival was actually to celebrate the changing of the seasons- the end of summer into fall.  What better reason to celebrate?  After one of the hottest and most uncomfortable summers I've ever experienced, I was sure happy to welcome fall.  And now fall is in full effect- fine by me!  Peace out, summer!