Another Time

I received these photos from the editor of the village newspaper. They are from the all Gunma Sports Day in the capital city of Maebashi. You know, the one where I went to defend Ueno's outstanding tug-of-war performance the previous year, dressed in apparel suitable for a county fair worker directing cars, and accompanied by patrons in need of bran-filled diets and possible hip replacement surgery. Shockingly we lost the first match and were sent home. It is believed that the opposing team tugged with the help of a team member's motorized wheelchair.

These are some of my students' moms who I often play volleyball with every Tuesday night from 7:30 - 9:45 pm in the elementary school gym. They vehemently oppose me jumping during practice to block, spike, or cause havoc in any way, shape, or form. They say, "Iazacku! NO JUMPU!" Don't you love the attire?
This is a picture of the opening ceremony. Pictures like this make me sing a little song in my head that goes like this "One of these things is not like the others....one of these things is not like the others....one of these things is not like the others...(with catchy, cheesy beats and bops inserted in a buffoonish way)" Can you spot the gaijin (foreigner)? I think the prefectural governor was in shock when he noticed the big white guy saluting him....that, and the 7-foot tall squirrel mascot standing at his right.

If you want to read up on the festivities, go here.