Here are the rest of our hosts.
About halfway through the dinner (they are long, with many courses), the boys became restless. We were about the pull out the electronics to keep them quiet, when our hosts began bringing out gifts. First they gave the children many different traditional Japanese games. We had so much fun as the executives taught them how to play these games.
In this game, you try to hit the bottom piece out from the pile with a hammer without disrupting the rest of the pieces on top.
They gave them little bean bags to juggle. There were several other fun toys that kept the boys busy. It was so very thoughtful.
Then the big gift giving began. They all had brought thoughtful, sweet gifts for the children and for us. We were given scarves, fans, notebooks, pens, cups, purses, towels and other items. Gift giving is a very cultural thing in Japan. In fact, our friend was telling us that when people get married, they give a present back to each person that gives them a gift. It is a present worth 50 percent of the value of the gift they are given. There are companies you can hire to handle that for you. Can you imagine having to give everyone at your wedding a gift back?? When we left I told him that I felt so bad we hadn't brought more gifts for all of them. I said I wanted to send them a package when I got home to express my sincere appreciation. He said not to do that, because they would then be obligated to send presents back. It could go on and on.
We did bring them a nice photograph from Moab (they came as guests of Jon's company last year) and they seemed to like it.
We brought another person a nice statue. He was very excited. They are so enthusiastic. We had brought gift boxes of Utah honey for everyone else.
Our wonderful drivers played with the kids with their new toys. They also loved to play the Japanese version of rock, paper, scissors (jan ken pon).
They even surprised us with a magic show that one of the employees put together.
The boys were happy to help with the magic show.
We took many pictures with our new friends. The woman next to Lauren was her new friend's mom. She was very kind and genuine.
This man was the head of the company department that hosted us. He was great. We learned to do the peace sign in pictures. They love that.
Here they are with Lauren and the scarf they gave her.
This man was in the second guy in command, and in charge of our daily schedule. We really enjoyed being with him.
It was really cute that this executive who was everyone's boss was on the floor playing games with our children.
After dinner we went to the festival area to watch some of the dancers and walk around the carnival. It is an amazing party. There are millions of people who come to the festival. They even assigned people to come with us and their whole job was to make sure that the children didn't get lost or separated from us in the crowds. They were so thoughtful.
Ali thought the hats looked like orange segments. I thought they looked like taco shells.
The mens' hats were different with straps going right under their noses. Our boys were glad that their costumes included only a headband.
These sandals were interesting. They were on these little platforms and you danced with them leaning forward on your toes. It really hurts your feet after a while.
The hats have a little foam insert that you wear on top of your bun so that the hat stays still.
All around the streets were little food vendors and souvenirs.
This was a little vendor selling pet frogs that people could buy and take home.
One of our hosts bought the boys light up swords and light sabers from a vendor. They surely didn't need more gifts, but you cannot say no. They loved playing with them.
Sno Cones are big here and certainly come in handy in the very hot humidity. They bought us all sno cones to enjoy.
Besides the parades, there are spontaneous street parties that occur all around. The real dancers begin and everyone else around joins in. It is really difficult to explain just how huge this thing is. There are happy people all around, everywhere!
Even the children join in the fun.
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