Rotary New Years Party

Everything that went on for the kimono.

Me with one of the geishas.

On the day of the Rotary New Years party I was very busy. First I went to the weekly Rotary meeting where they had a small party. Instead of a sit down meal it was a buffet and after we took a picture of the whole club. After the Rotary meeting my host mother picked me up and we went to the hair salon to get my hair done. The detail in my hair was amazing. I wish I got a closer picture of my hair. We arrived to the party early so that someone could help me put on my kimono. It took so long for all the layers to be put on me. After the party was over and I took everything off my host mother helped me fold the pieces and we put them in piles. I was so surprised how much I had on. One of the pictures I posted is a picture of the pile. For the New Years party we went to a old and expensive Japanese restaurant. We sat on tatami mats on the floor. I sat on a little chair. Everyone else at my table sat in seiza. Seiza is first kneeling on the floor and then folding your legs under. I have to sit in seiza for tea ceremony club but I can only do it for a short period of time before my legs fall asleep. We listened to some speeches at the start of the party and toasted to the New Year. During dinner we were entertained by geishas. They danced for us, played music, and sat at the tables with us talking and serving us food. One of the geishas was so nice and we had a lot to talk about. She is the one in the pink kimono above. The geishas even had us go up and dance with them sometimes. It was very entertaining. I also participated by picking out names from the box for the prizes as well. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about Japanese culture. Once the party was over I was very happy to take off my kimono. It is so pretty but very tight and tiring.