Hanami in Osaka

On Sunday I was invited by Noel and Mari to their capoeira hanami picnic at Osaka Castle Park. This was my second time there - my first time being when I was on exchange.

It's quite a popular place for hanami parties and was very crowded. Blue tarps, food stalls and pink petals surrounded the moat and castle.

Of course when capoeiristas get together, there's bound to be capoeira action. The guys from PowerArts drew in a huge crowd with their performances.

Mari and her berimbau

A few of us decided to walk around the park to see what else was going on.

Now this is how it's done - it smelt so good. I can't believe they lugged their own bbq's out, unless they have a car.

Noel (who took this shot): "You need to be taller to make this a better shot" Ha!



There was even a Malaysian Tourism stall set up with freshly made roti prata - yummo

D, Luke, me, Noel, Simon and our new drummer friend

This group of people invited us to try out their drums, taught the boys how to do the 'Dance of the Dragon god' (complete with fangs and claws) and gave us cans of beer and chu hai.

This group was playing Okinawan music

D trying to scale the walls but he ain't no ninja

Then we bumped into this flower mascot guy taking photos with little kids. We waited our turn and turns out he's not a butterfly, not a bee, not a peach head boy ... but a flower fairy. Obviously.

Walking out of the park on the way home, we spied this guy in his underwear dozing under a tree.

"That's what happens to Japanese men. The more they drink, the more pink they get and the more clothes come off" - Simon.

I make eye-contact, smile and take out my camera. The dude quickly jumps up and wakes up his mate, who is also only clad in boxers and socks, and they so kindly pose for me. Nice.

This band was pretty funky but the dude in the camo pants and yellow glasses was MONEY. We don't even know if he was part of the group but he was dancing away a la robot style to the music right next to the band. He was wearing an avex track t-shirt and holding a packet of Calbee chips.

"Let's call him Mister Calbee." - Marcia

Mister Calbee made my day - oh yes, he was freakin' awesome! Whenever I need a good laugh, I just have to watch the video footage I took of him. Simply gold.

I like floor shots. This one is in Osaka station.

Afterwards I met up with Sue Yen and we went shopping, though we didn't buy anything. Then headed to Elephant Cafe for some pad thai, beef pho and dessert. Monday Funday was a day early.