Silver week and stuff

On Sunday afternoon we took a walk / Puky bike ride towards the sound of beating drums here near our house. On Monday (yesterday) we had a public holiday (Silver Week) and the Japanese kids with their parents and other dedicated adults paraded up and down about a 100m stretch of pedestrian area for a few hours. They echoed words "HISHO" or something like that. The leader shouted "Hisho!" and the pack following him shouted back "Hisho!". The lacked no energy or motivation and just went up and down and up and down and up and down as if it was always the first time they were doing it. Wow. I'm not as dedicated as that.

What is Silver Week? There are 3 public holidays - which is unusual. The first one (see pics below of that one) is "Respect for the Aged Day" and the other ones are to do with the Autumn equinox.

Anyway, here are some photos of the lot...

Josephine following the bunch

Ok, someone was exhausted. A true exception.

a little Japanese girl and her dad

A sushi bar. The lady behind the counter...disappeared. OOps.

the audience in their traditional clothes. Spot the shoes with a toe pouch.

the crowd watching

the children carrying a "caravan/tent?" Don't know the right term!

chatting away!

motorised bikes. Oftentimes kids in front and at the back. Helps with the steep "Donkin str" hills like PE!!

and .... heave!!!

our girls!

my best friend.

The Silver Week ornaments that get carried by the children