Hiroshima – Day #2

Aloha, everyone!  It’s another beautiful but warm morning here in Hiroshima and we’re about to leave to do a soundcheck at the Phoenix Hall over at the Peace Park.  I can’t believe how many people are at this Flower Festival … it was so packed yesterday that you could hardly walk down the main boulevard – forget about trying to walk on the sidewalks!  I heard that this festival attracts almost a half million people every year!   It’s huge – there are stages almost every block with live music and various other cultural performances and there has to be over a thousand booths selling every kind of food, craft, and games.  So very cool!

We also got to see our Hiroshima ohana – Tadao, Erika, and Satomi – backstage yesterday before we performed.  It’s always great to see them especially ’cause they’re family!  We’re going to have lunch with them today before our final show, and then we have to depart for Osaka … this trip was way too short!  I’m also hoping to see my brother-in-law, Steven, and his wife, Carol, too … they’re sailing around the world and spent the last year in Japan.

Mahalo to our good friend, Nao, for bringing us the beautiful lei which she made for us!

Off to soundcheck … mata, ne?

Aloha, “D”