Today was the second holiday in a string of consecutive holidays that fall in the end of April through the first week of May. I think today’s holiday was ‘Greenery Day’ ……. and I have very little idea what that means.

On that note, today was a busy day for Rio and Jono. While Mama was at work, we drove into Osaka and parked suuuuuuuper far away from our destination (it’s amazing the things this guy will do to save a few bucks on parking). After a 45 minute drive and a 40 minute walk, we arrived at Nakanoshima, where a festival (carnival?) was going on. There were lots of food booths, and even live drumming (Rio’s favorite).

We met up with my friend Kali and her son Kanoa. She’s from Hawaii and her husband is from outside Osaka, and they run a little coffee shop. After hanging out at the park for an hour, picking up an ‘all you can handle syrup’ snowcone, and munching on two frankfurt sausages, we headed back to the couple’s cafe, which is the bottom floor of a three story house they rent.

Luckily, Rio and I could take a breather in our friends’ house (a nice chance for to have a more comfortable diaper change, to say the least). Then, my Japanese buddy Yuya met us downstairs in the cafe.

Yuya and I met during a weekend filmmaking course a year and half ago, and also were surprised to find out that we were both participating in a ZINE exchange event that next week.

Anyway, after talking art and music, we parted ways, and Rio and Dada picked mama up from work! I hope you all are doing well, and am excited to hear about your journey!

Much love!