Cherry Blossom Festival

This weekend we went to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Nago. I have been looking forward to this since we first got orders here and I must admit, I was pretty disappointed. The newspaper claimed that the blossoms would be beautiful, that the 500+ steps up the hill to the Shrine would be lined by more than 20,000 cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Disappointment #1 there was no parade at 11, Disappointment #2 there is no handicap ramp up the hill and we had to hoof it with a 15 lbs backpack, a 15 lbs baby, a 31 lbs year old and a 32 lbs 4 year old and finally disappointment #3 the blossoms were NOT in full bloom, however they were blooming so I could imagine how beautiful it would be if they were.

Now for the great things, STREET VENDOR FOOD!!! Yummy, we had Okinawa Soba complete with the super yummy soft ribs, fried rice, more ribs, little fried balls with squid in them, french fries, hot dogs, fresh pasteries, and meat on a stick. YUMMY, good thing we walked all that way so I could earn enough points to eat all this yumminess! There was a AWESOME playground about half way up and I'm not sure who had more fun, Nick and Justin or Korbin and Kane! Kane did have a accident there, they had a zip line things so Korbin did it first and he went too fast, so Justin put Kane on it and walk along next to him slowing him down, they had a half of a tire cut as a stopper and so Justin thought it would just bounce it back to stop. Well the tire worked like a brick wall and when Kane hit it he flew off and landed on his back and busted his lip. For those of you who know Kane you know how extremely tough he is. The boy can take a hit and keep going! He started to cry immediately. He got over it and started to play but he kept saying it was all his fault and he was so sorry. Then he almost ran into a car, more of oh no it's all my fault I'm so scared I'm so sorry.

During the walk down the boys got too tired and we had to carry them down. Thanks Nick and Stephanie, I think I would still be on those stair if it hadn't been for you all!

So maybe I was a little disappointed, but it was a great day to get out and hike up a hill for a good view with my family and some friends. We saw some spiders along the way, spider that could probably kill us and when we got to the bottom our legs were shaking involuntarily but it was a good time. Hopefully next year we will remember to go on Sunday when all the cool stuff is happening like the dancers, drummers and all that.