July 8th- Matsuri

On Wednesday I was volunteered to help Tak-chan’s dad at the summer festival. All I knew was that it required me to borrow Hiroko’s yukata and obi and serve tea. So, after I got let off work early to go shower (the farm is a MUD swamp, it’s not even fun anymore. Not when your boots sink so deep you can’t walk) and get ready. I did my hair and makeup fast because it takes 15 minutes to get into a yukata. Hiroko had to make a few adjustments and I really have respect now for girls wearing them. Wearing a yukata spoiler alert, stop if you don’t want to ruin the mystery*** (It involved a towel around my waist, two more contraptions, two different strips of fabic to secure my waist super tight, and then the obi with all it’s strings).***

 Hiroko was worried the shoes would hurt my feet but the bottoms were wood, not the sandal strap, so that was fine. I laughed, since when are girls’ shoes comfy anyway? Walking is a special process anyway, it’s more of a short shuffle. And it’s best to point your toes inward so you don't eventually pull the yukata out and ruin the folds. Imagine a crooked line from your wait to your feet, that’s what would happen.

 Anyway, I was handed off to Tak-chan’s dad with A-san, and we walked right to a local temple and past all the dozens of booths with candy, food, games, and crazy stuff. First we had to go to the temple service and they put purple scarves on us. Then afterwards we set up a few tables and began pouring tea into cups like crazy. 

We got a break and that was when he bought us whatever treat we wanted. I picked candied strawberries, which smelled and looked like a sweet-heaven. I was right too, they were. 

Then it was tea pouring again, and as soon as we ran out, we were ushered to a house where I realized this must be a men’s temple group, since A-san and I were the only girls in sight besides two wives making food (sushi and a fried food platters). It was pretty good and then Hiroko came to get us. She brought my shoes which was a nice thought, but I’d forgotten about them and laughed. No, I wasn’t hurting, just fine. She took some photos in the temple again before it was our time to go check out the festival. That was fun too seeing all the booths with a candy maker/sculpture (imagine a guy folding taffy into a pokemon or animal, then shove your stick of it into a clear balloon for safe keeping!) goldfish games, and the smells of the food. I loved it all!