Saturday, April 26, 2008

Japan Travel Log - Day 2

This was the first day of Hiro's 3-day Line Dance Festival. But the day's programme was to begin only at 1pm. We were told the day before that Yuki would come by the hotel to take us to lunch and that we had to be ready and gather in the lobby at 10.30am.

We woke early, got ourselves ready and headed down to the hotel's cafe for some breakfast, only to be told we're half an hour too late and that the kitchen had already closed. Hmmmph! So we trudged over to the departmental store nearby, ITO YOKADO, and chose an eatery called FAMIL DINING. We both ordered a meal that had an omelette on the outside and rice on the inside. Quite delicious actually. Oishi!

Outside Ito Yokado Departmental Store



While waiting for our meals to arrive at Famil Dining.

After quickly finishing the meal, we took a quick browse around the store and then headed back to the hotel. Yuki was already waiting at the lobby.

On the way to lunch

She had come with a friend whom she introduced as Hana. And I introduced Ivee to them both. We sat talking in the hotel lobby for quite a bit, catching up on news since I last saw her in Malaysia at my party. It was great to meet Yuki again.

When our stomachs signalled it was time for some food.. again (rolling eyes!).. we walked over to Omori Bellport. This time we went to a different Japanese restaurant. There we ordered, with Yuki's help, an assortment of meals to try.


Japanese 'wa wa' meets Malaysian 'nyonyas'


Yuki & Hana

Tempura on noodles with soup. Rice on the side



Cold noodles



Curry noodle, Japanese style



Overview of our sumptuous meal :-)


It was almost time for the event to begin, so we headed back to the hotel to meet up with Judy McDonald, from Canada, who is the main reason people are attending the event :-) If her name doesn't ring a bell, maybe her dance 'Cool Whip' will. Many Malaysian line dancers still remember this dance, I'm sure.

Her vast experience in line dance and talent for choreographing great dances, make her very much sought after by line dance groups worldwide to conduct workshops. And she's a great, fun lady to boot. For more on Judy, visit her website http://www.judymcdonald.ca/.

Quickly, all of us climbed into 2 taxis and off we went to Ikegami Hall, about 10-15 mins away.

The first half of the day's programme consisted of 2 lectures by Judy. The first, on how to be a good instructor and the second on choreography. During the course of these 2 lessons, we got to learn her dance 'Judylicious'. Great dance.


Rubbing shoulders with a famous Line Dance personality. Woo Hoo! :-)

We took a short break for snacks and drinks. Then, in the evening, as more line dancers joined the earlier group, a jamming party got underway. During this time, Judy also taught 2 dances: HOUND DOG (Judy McDonald & Jill Babinec) and GET ON THE BUS (Guyton Mundy).


The dancing ended around 10pm. We were really hungry by then. Ivee & I got to talking about the great ramen we had yesterday night and asked if anyone wanted to join us as we were thinking of going back there tonight. Yuki & Yuri said yes and Judy was game too.

Judy & her lil' baby fork

Sharing the calories..heheh

Walking back to the hotel

Hiro dropped us off next to the ramen shop. We had our fill and then walked back to the hotel in the nice cool night air. What a nice way to end a great day! :-) And thank you Ivee for capturing the moments.

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