The best memories of Japan (part II)

Hello! Today I will continue with my best memories list :). Like I wrote before I chose those that I bear in mind for a particular reason. So : hajimemashou!

3. Hanami at night

One of my favourite memories concerns the night that we spent watching the blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto at the Yasaka temple. I would recommend Hanami to anyone, even if you are not especially interested in Japanese culture. Admiring pink blossoms illuminated at night on the temple's grounds is one of the most beautiful things you can see. The whole event is accompanied by an incredible atmosphere created by dozens of Japanese people gathered to cultivate their ancient tradition. Hanami is also an ideal opportunity to try traditional dishes and sake. 

Mayurama Park - Yasaka Temple (Gion, Kyoto)

When I and my mom sat down on the table we ordered yakitori and sake.While we are waiting for the dish we tried to discreetly watch and admire the Japanese in traditional kimonos. We did not have to seek far because we sat next to the Japanese pair in the beautiful, colourful kimonos. To our surprise, after a few minutes Japanese which sat next to us introduced himself in English and so our conversation started. As it turned out he was a musician who played most of his life in Europe and America and he lived for a few years in Germany and Hungary. The rest of the evening we spent eating and talking about Europe, Poland and Japan. I always find this memory as of the unique opportunity to know Japanese better. It is rare that the Japanese themselves starts a conversation with gaijin (foreign).

Yakitori :)

4. The meeting in the park

As I have often mentioned before, the Japanese avoid conversations in English as much as they can. Therefore, if I am able to, I try to ask for directions in Japanese, or find the way myself. But, sometimes, even if its a really rare sight , the Japanese themselves approach you and begin to speak in this exotic language (English of course) :). Unfortunately it happens rarely. 

It was a sunny day, when me and my mother walked aimlessly around one of Tokyo's gardens. Suddenly, I saw a Japanese that looked at me smiling. When I looked at him he kindly asked, if I wouldn't mind to talk with him for a minute. He spoke fluent English and as for a Japanese I understood him pretty well. As the three of us sat, it turned out that he was extremely happy to have a chance to speak in English with somebody. He was very helpful and keen to give us a lot of informations about places to visit in Tokyo. He was so kind to even  drew us couple maps and asked few Japanese passers-by for more accurate information (when himself he did not remember something). It is amazing how much the Japanese people asked for help will do. Sometimes they do not leave you until they are sure that they were able to help you. It does not matter whether they are in hurry or have their own worries, or if they can speak English. Every time I am really touched by kindness of the Japanese people.