In the past week I have seen:
1. violets scattered on non-groomed lawns
2. crocuses
3. the beginnings of blossoms on the trees outside my office
4. daffodils
5. weird pale white guys wearing shorts and flip-flops
Spring is early this year and I am already imagining river trips and camping and skating and swimming and drinks on sunny patios and coffee in the morning sun. In Japan everyone celebrates cherry blossoms by hanging out in the parks under trees and having seriously elaborate picnics and drinking chu-hi (this kind of malt beverage, the equivalent of Zima maybe, but it's less sweet and higher in alcohol content and without the high school connotation, like, it is perfectly acceptable for a grown person to drink a chu-hi). And they call this event Hanami. And because the whole "watch" versus "look at" versus "view" thing is a confusing english language distinction, they will tell you that they enjoy watching the cherry blossoms. The photo above was taken in Yoyogi Park, one of the most popular parks in Tokyo and I think it is a pretty good representation of the insane festival quality of Hanami. And I think we should bring this to Portland and celebrate spring.
4 comments:
I think a picnic is a great idea to celebrate the oncoming spring. Good food, drink, and friends. Sounds perfect.
I ate a burrito on the sidewalk the other day, and there was a tree down the street, does that count?
I like, I like! Spring is very important. And I'm daydreaming about camping and swimming and iced tea already, too.
Yes. Let's get a Hanami party started. Huy. No. That's just eating a burrito on the street.
Post a Comment