Day 126 (Osaka) : BBQ and PL Fireworks

The PL fireworks was a perfect way to start the summer vacation. It also helped that I was going to a BBQ hosted by a super rich family. They really went all out with the food, showing us around the fireworks, and when the trains stopped running they even drove us the hour or so back to our places. It wasn't bad for me because I think Tennoji is close but after leaving me they had to drive out to Oji to take my classmates back to their dorm. There is a lot to say about Japanese hospitality but I wouldn't even be able to do it justice if I tried to explain it. It's one of those things you have to experience first hand to really have an appreciation for it.

When we first showed up Toyoji's father and sister were still out. Since he didn't get an international license in Canada his mother came to the station to pick us up. When we got back to their four million dollar home they offered us all kinds of fresh fruit, like these delicious giant grapes that I've never seen before. We had fresh tomatoes, edamame, grapes, sliced pears, and some Canadian maple cookies just as the appetizer while we were waiting for everyone to show up. I wish I had caught more names but there were tons of people. The only names that really stuck for me were Toyoji's father, Toshio, and his sister's friend's boyfriend, Jinbei.



Their house had a traditional Japanese style yard with trees and bushes, but no real room to have a BBQ. So we ended up setting up the BBQ area on top of their new garage addition that they just built this year. Climbing a later to get to the top was kind of ghetto, but it was pimped out like any other patio once you got on top. There was plenty of room for everyone and if we had been any closer we would have been able to see the fireworks without even leaving the roof.

The ladies from left to right are Toyohi's sister, sister's friend, and my two class mates Erica and Julie.




This is some kind of party game called "Sushi Jyan", not sure what that means. But you cover the plate with a plastic mat and pull out 7 pieces of sushi. Then it's kind of like go fish where you try to fill out one of the orders on the menu. It was pretty fun to play with everyone so I might get one for my place. Who knows, might actually want to play it since shogi doesn't seem to be popular at all.