Bon Odori, Part 1: Yamato Odori Awa Festival

This weekend was the Yamato Odori Awa Festival! Bon Odori falls in July/August in Japan every year; it's a festival comprised mostly of dances to honor ancestors and welcome their spirits back.
Since I arrived, I've been taking dance lessons with a group of women from the base, taught by Japanese women. We have three festivals, the next two fall in August. This one was a parade festival where groups of women, men and children danced in parade form, us in the middle of it!

It was really, really fun and an amazing experience. It was also about a million degrees...here's hoping it's cooler for our next performances!

Bathroom selfie!

 Pre-parade!

The Smile Dance

Saberladies!

HSM-77 Saberhawk wives!

Here are a few videos of the other dancers! (PS they are a bit loud!)

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These next 2 go together...this little old lady was SO funny, hitting this guy with her fan. I'm glad I got it on camera!