Impressions Natsu Matsuri 2008

So, went over to the Natsu Matsuri 2008 event  with the NUS Japanese Studies Society over at the Japanese School in Changi. It was my first time and while there was a downpour in the morning, it did little to dampen the mood, albeit I could do without it.

Spot Tedfox!

There isn’t much to talk about, other than the fact that the number of yukata wearing patrons were vastly outnumbered by “civilians”. The event itself was held over a few areas. The left and right wings were where the stalls and game booths were held, while the performances, originally supposed to be held over in the field was moved over to the hall due to the rain.

Only two girls wearing yukatas? I rest my case

I didn’t pay too much attention to the merchandise stalls, since they weren’t selling otaku related stuff. Instead, me and my compatriots made a beeline for the food stalls. I had a curry Benton and takoyaki, which in my opinion should be given a Nobel Prize as the greatest delicacy mankind has ever witnessed. Just look at that photo, doesn’t that make you drool? I know I did ^^

Gotta love the hat

Yum

Yum Yum (i lied)

Tedfox sama was there as well and we indulged in a long conversation like war buddies who have never been to a summer festival while commenting on how un-otakuish this was and we are better off confined in our rooms watching anime instead.  OH wait we knew each other through NS… well he could do with a better wardrobe in my opinion hurhur.  Didn’t hang around too long though, for any longer and we would have been deemed homo.

The main highlight has to be the performances event over at the hall, where they did the “dance around the drum” event for lack of a better term. I was tasked the unlucky job of photo-taking, which involves bumping into people and trampling on their toes just to ass insult to injury.  Curses!

Fighting through this crowd was no joke

Did I mention those kids were cute? Awwww (for the last time, I am not a pedophile!)
Whether I would make this event an annual affair is debatable for me since, there was hardly any otaku related stuff.  It was admittedly an eye-opener for someone like me who’s sans  for anime-related stuff, has never been exposed to Japanese culture, much less a Japanese festival!  Oh heck, you can count me in next year too.