Chapter 16 – Sunday 29th June 2008
Today we went into Osaka to attend the second day of a big Choral Festival put on by the ‘Japanese Choral Association’. We hoped to make some ‘industry’ contacts and just experience some Japanese style choral music.
It was raining (No?) so our ‘wet weather crocs’ were christened with great fanfare. Lucky we brought the brolly too!! There are so many different kinds here…….I am impressed with the very silky fabric elegant ones. We have a natty miniature one that folds up to the size of a Ummmmm??!! Small umbrella! The festival was great with lots of different choirs’ all shapes and sizes. Large 100 member casually dressed singing jiggy Japanese fun songs (apparently from a kids cartoon show.) Then a very serious and passionate conductor, (I think she was a she but a bit hard to tell with the black suit and intense look), with an all women’s choir wearing beautiful deep blue velvet gowns with sparkly jewellery and silver shoes (all matching). They sang a very interesting ‘sound scape’ type song. I like them a lot very very good. Then another choir with the conductor looking like something out of the Victorian era with ringlette hairdo and very dramatic makeup and foofy pink dress. She had the choir (50 members) wearing simular outfits and most of the women were over 60. A bit too much pink for me!!! They only get to sing 2 songs each so the program moves pretty fast. Break for lunch and then back to see the kids and then the mixed program (see photos sorry blurry.)
They dress the kids in all kinds of outfits from ‘sailor suits’ to traditional gear. We got to meet the ‘main man’ and we organised to meet up with him next week so it was a very successful day.
We got ourselves back home through the rain and I had to have a little ‘nana nap’ as I was really tired………Hello!!! We planned to go out with Jack,Chieko and the girls for a pre-birthday dinner for me. My birthday is on 1st July (our first choir night so gotta work!) –Note: send gifts and money to our Post office box………….I will make sure Fiona forwards all your generous gifts on to me (that are very expensive cos you love me.) I told Brian that he has already bought me my birthday gift and that is being here in Japan. It is Brian’s birthday on the 18th so I got out of buying a gift cos his is this trip too! I am quick I can tell you!!! I told Jack that I have decided to be the same age as Brian – Jack said “Right, 34 and holding!” Made me laugh!
Jack and Chieko took us to their favourite local place and the food was great really different mixes of tastes. Tempura, wonderful cooked avocado dish, raw fish – with the head still on….sorry fishy!! :(
Note: To the our visiting Aussies) Right across the food spectrums among all the restaurants and cafes there is no ‘gluten free’ available – in fact I don’t think they know what that is! Most of the noodles are wheat based so rice is your best bet. And they don’t have large rice crackers either (bread substitute) so bring your own with you and remember the vegemite – it comes in handy travel tubes nowadays.) I tested out some more Sake. Brian liked this one that is made out of plums. Mmm! We had a great night except poor Miyuki had a little fall (so tired) so we sent her home in a taxi the 2 blocks and she went to bed for a well earned sleep. She had only had one beer but she doesn’t drink and it went straight to her head and mixed with exhaustion it was all too much. Nothing like a bit of drama on ya birthday!
Well that’s enough!!! See you tomorrow for the next tasteful tale of
“MARTINSSSSSSSSSS INNNNNNNNNNNNN JAPANNNNNNNNN!”
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