JAMMIN

OGASAWARA LIVE CONCERT! 

local tofu creator and neighbor

It only takes place once a year at the central park, we all dress up like we are going out to Roppongi but we are all hillbillies with dirty feet. Many local bands play their favorite music, from rock to J-pop and all the way down to jazz. Under the stars, next to the ocean, we all dance and sway with the breeze. Unfortunately the event has to finish at 9:00pm sharp! That is just when the adrenaline started to kick in. Great vibes though!

Forest marshmallow

Some sort of mushroom, looking good!
Magical, only seen when it rains, for a couple of days and then gone. Fluffy like a marshmallow but doubt it is as good. Ogasawara, most of it's beauty lies on the simple things like this. It is all about how you look at things, just gotta change your eyes and see things from another perspective.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Recently I have had the time to read some of the books that the universe sent me. This book called The God of small things is a very beautifully written book. The words transport me to Ayemenem which is now part of India. I have never been there but I can smell and see what the characters experience. It is like traveling with my thoughts. I sometimes forget I am sunbathing in a white sand beach in the middle of the pacific ocean.

"May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month. The days are long and humid. The river shrinks and black crows gorge on the bright mangoes in still, dustgreen trees. Red bananas ripen. Jackfruits burst. Dissolute bluebottles hum vacuously in the fruity air. Then they stun themselves against clear windowpanes and die, fatly baffled in the sun." page 1.

Outrigger Canoe Race

Once a year the Kaname association hosts an Outrigger Canoe race. An ancient way of transportation that was used in Ogasawara and many other pacific islands. Locals and tourists gather to race in Oghiura beach for a very exciting day. Music, beach, beer, families, competition, heat, it is the grand opening of the summer events of the Island. It starts with a Hula dance, music and gathering picture; as soon at is over the race starts. 3 of my friends and I have been practicing and preparing our costumes for this day. Tiger prints and wild hair to aim for the costume price but we end up aiming first place. Of course, the 44 magnum team (women who are all 44) win the race! I must say, they have the experience but come one... we are younger and should have beat them, instead we end up on 4th place :(

No regrets, it was an amazing experience and for sure the 44 magnum team has had to go through this to be on the first place. We are definitely trying again next year. With zebra prints! 

grateful

August is one of the busiest months of Ogasawara. The boat is full of tourists coming from many parts of Japan, mostly children on holiday. Our landlord is hosting a Kid's camp at his hostel, my alarm is now "A SPIDER!!". City children are unused to the wilderness of the Island and their fancy clothes comes with huge personalities. I am not sure if things were like that back when I was young (er) hehe. 

Today after a long day of work, I decided to take a bicycle ride to Kopepe Beach. One of the most secluded beaches around this area. I swam to the center of the bay and took of my blue tinted goggles to see the real colors and shapes that were around me. Time stopped. I took a deep breath and felt like the luckiest person on earth. 

Riding a bicycle is not as easy as I thought, specially with all the hills going up and down. I felt like I was taking the bicycle for a ride, instead of the bicycle taking me for a ride. Bought a slice of cheese cake (in reward of the bicycle ride) and ate it while watching the sunset. 

Grateful to be alive and present.