2013年1月 2日 17:10
Making room for the new.
I was sure that there must be quite a difference between the way the arrival of the New Year is celebrated in Japan and in Romania.
We began a little early, by visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, watching the amazing sunset over the city, climbing the spiralling path guarded by thousands of red torii gates - we wanted to make sure we wouldn't forget the last day of 2012! When the cold air became unbearable, we treated ourselves to some nice bowls of soba, wishing that our lives will be as long as the noodle strings.
Next on the list was a concert of Slinky Tips, a group of amazing musicians jamming around famous rock 'n' roll, funk, soul tunes - we even got to hear an old enka song! The fantastic energy they were spreading brought together people of all ages and nationalities, and we all counted together the last moments of the year.
The concert lasted till late in the night, when we decided to partake in hatsumode - the first visit to a shrine or a temple in the year. Heian Jingu Shrine was quite close, and most people had already made their visit, so we could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, the surreal music, and lastly, hot cups of ginger-flavoured amazake (sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented rice) warmed us up before going home.
Quite a beginning to what already looks like an amazing year!