When I first arrived in Okinawa (Friday), Oshiro-san told me that on Saturday there will be a university festival which is held once a year around September because the students usually prepare for this festival during the summer break. So right on the next day after my arrival I went to the festival. I didn't really plan to go because I was too lazy to go alone (I couldn't contact my friend, Shely, since I didn't have the wifi's password) and I was still tired but then I decided to go to the Ippan-to building where Shely stays to talk about things and maybe ask her to go to the festival. But honestly I wasn't sure about the way to go there so I ask a guy who were using earphone and just standing in front of one of the building in International House. I asked him in English (he's not a westerner I guess) and he didin't really reply my question but then he just asked me to follow him and tried to explain the way, thanks to him I could make it to the Senbaru Dormitory.
Luckily on my way to look for the Ippan-to building I met Shely and her friends with one of her friends' tutor, Miku-san. I was introduced to her friends and we went together to the matsuri. So there were many stands, including foods, drinks, university clubs' stands and also performances in matsuri. We were also introduced by Miku-san to some of her (Japanese) friends. I'm glad that I come here at least once since I will have already gone back home and can't come for the next year matsuri.
I watched a performance called エイサー (Eisa), it's Okinawa's folk dance. The girls have to dance and the boys play the instrument (kinda traditional drum), also they have to shout out something (or maybe sing in a loud voice) during the performance. I also tried the popular ice cream in Okinawa which is called Blue Seal in sweet potato flavor, it's sweet! So Okinawa is kinda identical with sweet potato. There are many foods which are made from sweet potato here.
Labels: exchange life, japan
POSTED BY Egi ON Tuesday, September 29, 2015 @ 10:21
