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Showing posts with the label summer holiday

Scotland: The First Encounter with Haggis and Whisky

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Long ago, we went to Scotland on family trip. It was end of August. Scottish weather was already chilly. It was too cold with summer clothing we brought. First, we stopped at Edinburg for a sightseeing, then moved on to near Inverness by train, and checked in at a hotel. The hotel seemed to be a new hotel, had neat and bright interior, with good utilities inside. The manager of the hotel was full of hospitality. She was with us at our check in and lead us to our room, explaining cheerfully about what services were available at the hotel. Once we settled ourselves in at hotel room, we went to swim at hotel’s swimming pool. Our limbs became stiff with long train journey. We relaxed ourselves in the pool, The pool was quite vacant. Part from our family, only a few people were seen at the pool Dinner time came, and we were shown to our table at dining room. Three course meal was served, and this time the manager was also at our table. She told us that the vegetables of fresh salad were har...

BA.5 – COVID 7th wave in Japan and holiday season

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  Our local shrine’s festival resumed for the first time in three years. Streets were once again jolly with illuminated lanterns. Kids were playing wood flute and drums to add festive feeling. They were performing the music in front of train station. People enjoyed the music in the evening.   I assume that the shrine must have planned the festival when the number of corona patients were decreasing daily – at least until June 2022. People must have put much effort into the preparation, looking forward once again to practice the music, drew out the portable shrine (Omikoshi) ready to be carried around the town, and float to carry the music bands.   Before COVID-19, the festival was like these;   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oWNuFH-CIg https://youtu.be/97cu-n3QXrc I watched the children playing music with somewhat mixed feeling. By the time the festival started, the number of COVID-19 patients were increasing at tremendous speed. I was tracking onl...