博多どんたく

Its called "Pride"

Today marks the official start of the "Golden Week" Holiday in Japan, where there are 3 public holidays back to back, coupled with the weekend, making this the time where all the japanese people take a break from their work and travel! An estimated 2 million people will be expected to come to Fukuoka to watch the Dontaku Parade, one of Japan's biggest matsuris. And me, I had the chance to participate in this year's Dontaku in the International Contingent with my Singaporean friends, with the added honour of being the flagbearer for the Singapore Contingent! I have never touched the flag since primary school when I did flagraising every morning, so this was absolutely natsukashii. :)



Cross-straits relations are good

This blog ain't political, but lookie here, ground level knows best!



With some of my other gaikoku-jin friends who also have the honour of being their respective countries' flagbearers.

Yea, walking down Hakata, Nakasu to Tenjin waving to the crowd, spotting familiar faces, dancing to the rhythm of the drumbeat and clapping the clappers in sync... This is surreal