Along with half of Canberra it seemed.
But unlike Japanese festivals, which have similar sorts of numbers, this festival was hopeless under resourced. Which meant queues for everything. One bar, one okonomiyaki stand, one gyoza stand, one noodle stand and a generic Asian stand. We've totally been spoilt by festivals in Japan where they have long rows of stands selling all sorts of amazing food - and no queues!
Crowds
Queues :(:(:( Long ones too
Drumming
Flower arranging
Kendo
Our first lineup at the bar was actually relatively short. Rotary were there serving, but needed some practise at this point.
The sweetie
So we went off to sit and watch some of the acts.
This is a student group from Nara University High School. I missed most of their act though, because I was queueing so long for another drink.
This duo did western songs
The sweetie went off to get some dinner. And while he was gone a group of people came and sat *right next to me*, taking up the space Stu was sitting. #grunt
The udon noodles we had for dinner. Apparently the queue was much longer for the chicken variety. What's with that?? Glad we had this - the okonomiyaki that I saw people eating looked like a big pile of dough with no vegetables to speak of.
So then the sweetie went off to see if he could find his Japanese teacher. And while he was gone this couple came up and setup their directors chairs *right in front of me* #epicgrunt
Had to lean uncomfortably in different directions to see anything, and stand up to take some photos.
When the sweetie got back I was grumpy as, so we went off for a walk.
I thought these kites by the lake looked pretty cool
And the candles sure were pretty
So slightly disillusioned, and still hungry (I wanted meat on a stick!), we stopped in at KFC for meat on a stick.
