Everyone woke up cringing in pain from sunburns. I don't think I have ever seen so much pink flesh! Once we got rolling after breakfast, each person got to make their own lunch--sandwiches or onigiri (rice balls).
AND THE FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS BEGIN!
We went from the elementary school to Yamada High School and began the festival preparations. The girls were assigned a room upstairs to get dressed in the customary yukata as the boys dressed in the gym. I had to stay with Noah and get him ready, so I didnt get many shots of the girls getting dressed (well, it wouldn't be appropriate to post pictures of that either!). I will assume their procedure of wrapping up is the same as the men/boys.
The first layer was the long yellow cloth. It was wrapped about chest to mid-abdomen high, very tightly, and secured with a strip of cloth (some were daring enough to wear just their skivvy's under it). Next came the blue yukata coat with the left side of the jacket overlapped on the top. This was secured first by a thin strip of cloth and then a wide elastic strap with velcro. Then over that came the wide blue cloth that was tied in a bow on one hip. Next the sleeves were folded in a particular fashion so they appeared like a regular cap sleeve on a t-shirt. It seems each group (in the festival) had their own particular style on this folding. These were then secured by a very wide, long cloth that was twisted and wrapped around their shoulders with a final bow tied between the shoulder blades. I attemtped my own version of it, but it must be done in a particular order to come out the same each time. That's it!
Everyone got a small cup of drink (I didnt taste it--what WAS it??) and had a "toast". Then the principal of Yamada High School gave a speech. I rolled my way back to my van with the baby as everyone filed out to get on the buses and head downtown.
The kids gathered for one quick group shot before departure.
As the kids went on their way, I asked Paul (one of the escorts from base that was helping later in the camp on base) and Jesse to keep an eye on Noah since I couldn't be with them. I felt at ease then.
I made it back to the homestay house with Judy and her youngest, Lianna, to drop off the van. Then I loaded up the stroller and we headed to our reserved seating in front of Sen's aunt's store (Ashiya), right on the main street. It was about a ten minute walk and wasn't too much trouble. Rebekah seemed to be doing fine and no sign of fever all day. We sat down and enjoyed the festival.
About 30-40 minutes into the festival Sen called me on my cell and told me that Paul and Noah had not returned to the fesitval--he took Noah to the bathroom before it started and they never caught up! I was devastated. I started to pray. The crowd was huge, there was no telling where he went to the bathroom or where he went afterwards. I was sure Paul wouldn't think to get back on the street and catch up with the entire group (but instead, he stayed on the sidewalk). With Noah on top of his shoulders, Paul began the walk around and around the parade route, looking for me on the sidelines and/or the group in the parade. Sen kept calling back with no news. Rebekah had fallen asleep (HOW with all the drums and noise!?) so I left her with the other Misawa parents and ran...and ran...up the streets with a prayer to find them in time.
I stopped a policeman on the corner and tried to explain. Once he finally "got" what I was saying and translated it to a fellow officer, my cell phone rang--Sen said they found them. Praise the Lord. I jogged back to the reserved seating and a moment later, there they were. Paul and Noah had walked the sidewalks the entire time - nearly two full hours - and did not get to chant or dance even one minute of it. My heart aches just to think about it again. So, Paul...if you're reading this...know how truly sorry I am that this happened to you! And God bless you for watching after my son in that sea of people. I hope I can make it up to you somehow...
Meanwhile the kids appeared to have a fantastic time dancing and screaming "rasseh-rah, rasseh-rah, rasseh, rasseh, rasseh-rah" with the beat of drums and flutes all over. A few of the girls and my son, Jesse, were able to ride the front little cart and shout the chant into the microphone out to the crowd.
Here's a photo of the entire group - the Aomori Camp 2006 with Yamada High School. A special thanks to the high school for allowing us to walk with them!
The kids gathered for one quick group shot before departure.
As the kids went on their way, I asked Paul (one of the escorts from base that was helping later in the camp on base) and Jesse to keep an eye on Noah since I couldn't be with them. I felt at ease then.
I made it back to the homestay house with Judy and her youngest, Lianna, to drop off the van. Then I loaded up the stroller and we headed to our reserved seating in front of Sen's aunt's store (Ashiya), right on the main street. It was about a ten minute walk and wasn't too much trouble. Rebekah seemed to be doing fine and no sign of fever all day. We sat down and enjoyed the festival.
About 30-40 minutes into the festival Sen called me on my cell and told me that Paul and Noah had not returned to the fesitval--he took Noah to the bathroom before it started and they never caught up! I was devastated. I started to pray. The crowd was huge, there was no telling where he went to the bathroom or where he went afterwards. I was sure Paul wouldn't think to get back on the street and catch up with the entire group (but instead, he stayed on the sidewalk). With Noah on top of his shoulders, Paul began the walk around and around the parade route, looking for me on the sidelines and/or the group in the parade. Sen kept calling back with no news. Rebekah had fallen asleep (HOW with all the drums and noise!?) so I left her with the other Misawa parents and ran...and ran...up the streets with a prayer to find them in time.
I stopped a policeman on the corner and tried to explain. Once he finally "got" what I was saying and translated it to a fellow officer, my cell phone rang--Sen said they found them. Praise the Lord. I jogged back to the reserved seating and a moment later, there they were. Paul and Noah had walked the sidewalks the entire time - nearly two full hours - and did not get to chant or dance even one minute of it. My heart aches just to think about it again. So, Paul...if you're reading this...know how truly sorry I am that this happened to you! And God bless you for watching after my son in that sea of people. I hope I can make it up to you somehow...
Meanwhile the kids appeared to have a fantastic time dancing and screaming "rasseh-rah, rasseh-rah, rasseh, rasseh, rasseh-rah" with the beat of drums and flutes all over. A few of the girls and my son, Jesse, were able to ride the front little cart and shout the chant into the microphone out to the crowd.
Here's a photo of the entire group - the Aomori Camp 2006 with Yamada High School. A special thanks to the high school for allowing us to walk with them!
The festival promptly ended at 9 p.m. and they loaded the bus and waited for Judy and I to come with the vans to pick them up at the high school. But...another crisis. Rebekah woke up at the end of the parade with another high fever. When we returned to the house I gave her Motrin. I could not stay home with her at that point--we had to go pick up the kids.
When we arrived at the school and the van was loaded, Paul got into the driver seat for me so I could sit with Rebekah. Her fever spiked again--worse. I didn't dare take anymore chances. Sen made the phone calls and we were on our way to the emergency room. Long story short...she was okay and I would follow-up with the doctors the next day or so when we were back on Misawa Base.
WE SURVIVED NEBUTA FESTIVAL 2006!
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