Riding to my first lesson of the day early this morning, I passed by this “freshman” office worker stuck with the job of setting up and guarding the office posse's spot for the annual cherry blossom (sakura) viewing piss-up. No doubt he was given this job a couple of weeks ago when it was announced that the sakura would be out by the 18th. Ha. Despite a few deep bows and profuse apologies from the mistaken sakura bureau chief, most companies were already, sadly, stuck with their long-before-scheduled day of debauchery, despite the lack of blossoms.... I really wouldn't mind this job. Laying about under the trees in the sunshine waiting for the office crew to arrive...
Anyway, I completed my first lesson and sat with Daz in the morning sun for a bit, shooting the breeze as you do, when one by one, all plans for the day fell apart with each incoming text. At a loss for something to do, I figured today was as good a day as any to go on the hunt for that damned elusive first-sakura-blossom-of-the-season. Bear with me as I share my story in pictures....
*sigh. Doesn't look good from here.
Technorati Tags: funny, inokashirakoen, japan, parties, hanami, tokyo
Nor from here...
I asked the Wicked Witch of the East. She couldn't help. She had great shoes tho.
These ojisan weren't much help either.... they'd had too much sake and they swore these pretty yellow thingies were almost as good as the real thing....
These lovely ladies were kinda excited and squealy but then they realised that little speck of pink it was just a bit of plastic stuck to a branch....
ooohhhhhh....... YATTA! Success! Look, look, look - about 4 little blooms popping out of this tree!!!
AAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THERE'RE MORE OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And 4 hours later, old buddy - still waiting - was saved from terminal boredom by a friend from the office. Ah, it's a hard job, but someone's gotta do it.
Ya really ain't hard-core unless you sit in the dirt under the blossom-less trees and party on anyway.
My first hanami party for the season is hopefully this Saturday - but there is talk of rain which would put something of a damper on things...