Japan Trip Part 7

Sunday was another day filled with performances. Before our performances, a member from one of the other teams came and taught us the new Soran Illusion dance at our request. They also gave us t-shirts. We started at the Sapporo Factory Shopping Center, and had lunch there after our performance. Next we went to the Daiei Shopping mall. They had all the teams lined up behind the stage. Much to our glee, Mai Docomo was standing right next to us. We cook a couple more pictures with them and cursed that they didn't go before us, because Seiji said we had to leave immediately after our performance, so we wouldn't be able to watch them. We walked very slowly and once we got far enough, we actually just stop so we could watch them.

Our next stop was Odori Park for our parade. We had to perform our dance 5 times in a row with a water break after the 2nd one. Before our first dance, we saw someone from the team ahead of us being hauled away on a stretcher. Our first couple runs were kinda off. We practiced moving at a much faster pace, and we didn't think to leave space between us and our music van. During our water break, I was still hyped up and kept dancing. It was hot and I was happy to see the end of the block by our 5th performance. After parade, we took some time off and bid farewell to one of our supporters.

We had an hour break, then it was time for Soran Illusion part #2. It was basically the same as last night, but with less teams, because the semi-finals were going on at the same time. This time we started at the fron of the group right behind the Kenyan team. This time the experience was a lot more fun since we actually knew the dance. In fact, it was probably the most fun I've ever had in my life. I purposedly moved at the slower speed so I dance with other people throughout the dance. I want to come back next year just for the experience of dancing in the parade again. I definately had a lot more energy in this than in any other dance.

After the parade it was time for our farewell dinner. We went to the Monja Tanuki restaurant which was an okonomiyaki and monjayaki restaurant. People gave going away speeches, which was surprisingly tearless compared to our end of the semester going away parties. We said goodbye to our Assistant Director, who was flying back to Tokyo that night. After the party we were free to do whatever. Half of the group went to watch the finals. I went with Seiji and the other Japanese members to the onsen (hot springs) for a bath.

Bath house was an experience. They had serveral different pools. They were at various temperatures and had different minerals in it. There was one with lemons and one with a light electric current running through it. I didn't actually see that one, but they talked about it. There a couple of saunas too. A regular and a super sauna. The super sauna was crazy. I began sweating immediately and could barely breath once I got in there. After a couple minutes, I gave up. The best part was the outdoors portion. That's where the pool with the actual spring water was. There was also the foot baths and heated chairs. There was kind of a line for the chairs. The backs of the chairs were heated and warm water runs from the waist down. After the bath we went to the relaxation area. They had full body massage chairs, a mini arcade, a restaurant, and a tatami room for laying down or stretching. The trip to onsen was by far the best bang for your buck in Japan. Just 300 yen for a relaxing finish to a day, and a great last night in Sapporo.

On our way back to the hotel, several of us took the posters for the yosakoi festival since it was officially over. We probably arrive back around 11pm, and had to pack for tomorrow.