Mika, Wen, me..."one of these things is not like the other..."

Yokata, yukata! Last Saturday my Japanese friend Mika let me borrow a yukata to wear to the Koga Hanabi Matsuri. Her mom teaches the art of yukata/kimono tying, so I was done up right. Getting to wear the yukata was a great experience (yokata!), and the fireworks were as killer as last year's. The spectacular hanabi will be one of the things I miss the most about Japan.

Sarah and me, and our victory beer

The evening, which was probably the best I've had in Koga, went like this: carry the mikoshi for no more than 7 minutes, chug a beer, carry the mikoshi, chug a beer...this went on for so long it was a real wonder we ever got the shrine back.

Yeah, there were loads of people carrying the mikoshi, but the next day I still had a huge bruise on my shoulder.

Who knew wearing a diaper could be this sexy?