Hanami

花見 (Hanami) means litterally "flower viewing". It's the party that is really popular in Japan during spring when the sakura are blossoming. You are supposed to sit underneath the cherry blossoms and have a picnic or whatnot. But last night the international students were invited to come to a hanami party for the international club at Hosei and there was no flower viewing let me tell you. Hanami is just another excuse to drink a lot. This time, outside underneath the trees. When we first got there I was surrounded by 5 or 6 screaming first year girls wanting to know everything about me. It was kind of scary none the less. Everything I said they would either clap at or scream again. Between girls screaming at the top of their lungs and drunk japanese guys telling me "what's up", there was only one time when someone said "oh look at the sakura, they are so pretty".

Since it was hanami season, the park near Hosei was filled with Hosei students having hanami. It's the beginning of the academic year here, so many clubs were having hanami as a way to meet first year students to join their clubs. But between all of these hanami there was one wasroom and who knows how many sick first year students who after two beers were crawling to the toilet. Not a pretty sight.

Hanami is a good time none the less; with the free beer, screaming girls and guys who ask you really weird things. But Hanami is not about the flowers, don't believe that lie. Probably about as big as the lie, "I'm not interested in looks, I just want someone with a good personality".

Some pics from the day:


This is from the International Centre welcome party. That was yesterday before the Hanami madness. I look like the un-dead.


The line of Hanami parties by the river by Hosei.


Some of the screaming girls I was talking to.