日田千年あかり

Sometime the wind blows us away.

Sometimes, a beautiful dance gives the wind a run for it's money.

The thousand year festival in Hita was amazing. The lights from all the lanterns lined the riverside on both sides and the old part of the city （豆田町ーMameta Machi) was a festival of food and more lights. There were many very creative displays laid out using paper, bamboo, metal, and of course - candles. The people, were many. I do mean many. The most amazing thing about festivals in Japan (at least the ones I have been to) is, how orderly and clean the people keep the areas. It's sad to say but, in America, when we have big events, the after effect is a complete and udder mess. Bottles, cans, paper, and so much more strew about. What a difference in personal responsibility. Sure, it's not perfect here. You will find some trash around, but nothing like back home. Food for thought...

The dancing event was stunning. Two women danced a style which seemed a fusion of Turkish, Chinese Sleeve dance, and Persian with some great musical accompaniment. The dance was an homage to the moon which was just coming up over the horizon. An orange glow rising above the houses overlooking the river. 

The food?

Delicious as most often it is here in Japan.

But then, that depends on the chewer.

Talent Contestantation

As one of 8 finalists to be involved with a talent contest here in Fukuoka, Japan, I feel quite blessed that my desire to play music is being taken higher. It's like a huge puzzle that's finally coming together. All the parts are fitting nicely and the image before me is breathtakingly haunting, yet beautiful at the same time. Here in Fukuoka, the population is just below 1.5 million and in that, the foreign population is quite low. Compared to US and Western European cities that is. Being part of a small minority can be challenging. That, however does not stop me from moving forward. It has always been an issue for me: claiming my pride or stepping back into the shadows of everyone else's progress. I am still not quite sure how to take that big leap, but then maybe, I already have.