that was some program : March 30 2025

oh no! here we are again, another sakura pose. but it really is not. just allow me to get through the day.

look at this couple though, taking a picture of their rings. don't know if they were engaged or a married couple but either way, hope they get to live together for a long time. hope they do not get inspiration from these flowers that only last for a week or two.

again, let us go back to the story telling.

going to the park

it was noontime when i decided to go out. i wanted to eat out, and i was alone at home. i never felt so alone for the past two days. not that i mind it that much but the sun was just so great this sunday that it felt a shame not to get out. but i was alone though, and i am bad by myself. i wanted to eat somewhere close at least.

two majestic trees along the way, those contrast with the background made them pop some more. i really wouldn't have noticed them if i were on my usual nightwalker mode. i had two plans in mind, have lunch and find some plants.

here we were in ueno park yet again, but the contrast with the other time was just so strong. last friday night, people were on their feet, and they were all gathered in that one sakura corridor. today was a different story, people had mats on the grounds.

it was never my intention to take pictures of sakura yet again. by now, i am pretty sure you have all grown tired of those photos. and i was just here to pass through, i specifically chose a different path, i knew that the corridor would be too crowded. but little did i know that it was the same scenario over here. it was the slowest moving traffic, i had no choice but to take pictures of my surroundings. well, there really was nothing to do but take pictures of the people having picnic.

a picture of a majestic sakura tree. i will never attempt to describe its color, i am colorblind. but i know it is not white, it is probably pink. oh no! i might be wrong. but this tree was a scene stealer, was the main attraction over there.

and i finally saw some program on this stage. people were blabbing about the event and performing. these were paid by the organizers for sure, invited guests.

out of the park

finally had lunch in a ramen shop, but i did not order the usual ramen. i had tsukemen, a ramen variant were the noodles are dipped into a thick broth. i have always been a patron of this shop for years now and i was just happy to be back. that thick meat was just a plus, the main selling point of this shop was the dipping sauce itself. check them out in google maps in here Ueno Menya Musashi Bukotsu Soden.

now that lunch was done, i was gearing for the second goal, plants. on my way to the park i actually saw a plant shop and checked that as well. i did not find the plant i was looking for. and now after lunch i went to another shop and found that it was closed. i do not know if it was just closed for the day but nonetheless that meant that no plants will be bought.

so here i entered a toy store instead. a friend once told me that these collectibles are the new "it" thing these days. i took a picture for her to check. i am no collector of these, they are cute but i am a bad collector so i don't want to start spending on these. i am the type to keep on buying until i get them all, i can't start on these or i will go broke.

open mic

i went back to the park and passed through the sakura corridor this time, it was crowded as expected. i really was not surprised at all. and people were taking pictures of the flowers. who can blame them though, these flowers are really pretty, you are looking at one of the national symbols of japan. (oh don't clock me on that, that is just a personal opinion.)

and finally here we are. the stage behind the fountain had a program, finally. some random people were singing badly on the stage, they must be drunk. i was about to leave but my foot dragged me closer to the stage instead. and i was glad i did.

it was a program sponsored by a karaoke giant and naturally it was a karaoke program. people were lining up for a chance on the stage to show their singing skills. wow! and people went for it.

i never knew that there were normal japanese people who would actually put up themselves for such a public exposure. and audience were so appreciative of that. having the guts to stand up in front of everyone must really be stressful, i couldn't and wouldn't do it. i just do not have have the stomach for it. so, i applaud them. these were the stand outs in my opinion. so i hope you'll love them as well.

i loved that program so much that i completely forgot of the time. i must have stood there for more than an hour and i would have gladly stayed. but the cold winds came as the sun was setting, i was terribly underdressed. i was shaking at some point that i had to leave. it was such a great experience, i would have loved to come up on stage if i had friends in the crowd. i mean, i would be shaking on stage but it would be such a great experience.

would you also be doing the same?

as always, AMPING KANUNAY!