Sakura...sakura...

It's nearly springtime once again and time for cherry blossom parties known as "hanami" or better known as "another excuse for these Japs to get flat out drunk" and still considered within the norms of Japanese convention. Anyhow, hanami is a big deal here in Japan, with people tuning to television programs dedicated to the progress of these blossoms from the Okinawa islands (I think they bloom there as early as January) to Hokkaido(where they last till May).As I have mentioned, "hanami" requires everyone to sit down under the cherry trees and blossoms of course, and celebrate the coming of the new season...or year...or whatever.Just celebrate.Japanese go through great lengths to reserve a prime spot under there dang blossoms that the parks (Ohori-koen here in Fukuoka) are all covered up in blue mats and pieces of string to designate that "this" is our spot.Actually, this happens almost everytime there is an event in the park, that you actually have to "reserve" a place for you to get hammered.Well, on to the next festival...Sakura...sakura...