Sakura

As you probably know, Japan is famous for the Cherry Blossoms or Sakura as they are called here. Beautiful pink flowers that apparently have no smell. They usually bloom around the end of March but I guess they started a bit earlier this year. They only stick around for a few weeks so you have to get out and see them. After the flowers fall off the tree fills with green leafs. The Sakura can be found all over Japan. The Meguro river, pictured on the right, is particularly famous for them. Its banks are lined with many Sakura trees and makes for a nice stroll on a lazy Sunday.

They have a tradition here called "Hanami." Basically you get a bunch of people together, lay down a big blue tarp under a Sakura tree, eat lots of food and get drunk. I was fortunate to be invited to two Hanmi parties. It was a lot of fun and I got to meet lots of interesting people. The blue tarps however are a bit of an eyesore for me. As you can see from the picture it creates quit a contrast from the beautiful pink flowers. I made that hummus by the way. Nobody there had ever seen anything like it. ha ha

So if you ever make it out to Japan, the end of March is a great time to be here. Its not too hot and its not too cold. And you'll get to watch pink flowers fall from the trees like heavenly snow while getting drunk with new friends and old. Whats better than that right?

Konpai!