what a prize

the other day tom and i were invited to a local festival by my host family.

It was held at my host sister's school, and the theme was O-Bon (like every other festival at the moment). So of course evry O-Bon festival needs dancing and we were both conned into taking part

Everyone dance the same dance around and around a huge tower which had taiko drummers sitting on top. And as you went around there were judges handing out pieces of cardboard on strings to hang around you neck to show that you have won a prize.

Both Tom and I got one of these signs. Probably being the only gaijin there made it pretty easy. We also got dragged up on stage by some old guy.

Finally the dance was over and we could go and exchange our signs for the prize. People told me that i had won a great prize and tom's was equivilant to an "encouragement" prize. When we got there, i was give 2 bottles of washing liquid and he got a roll of cling wrap and a roll of foil.

Very exciting prizes! Just what we needed around the apartment too :P