雨にも負けず、心はいつも晴れ

One of the things that I've forgot to write about last time I was in Japan was about Xmas at Nikko, a.k.a. Natal de Nikko. It's a "traditional event" among Brazilian exchange students, where people - not only students, and not only Brazilians - from all over Japan gather in Nikko to celebrate Christmas.

Well, I went there again this year. And, like I did with Himeji Castle, I'll write about both this year's and 2005' Xmas.

In 2005 I was told about the event by Silvia. So we managed to make our reservations early, including reservations for the Moonlight Nagara to go during the night using Seishun 18 Kippu. That's the most unexpensive a night trip to Tokyo may get, perhaps...

Among the group who went to Nikko, a few known faces. Most from people who had climbed Mt. Fuji together the same year. Still, that's far from being a problem. We met lots of people and made new friends... some of which I met again in 2007. But I'll talk more about that later.


A fortunate coincidence was that back then the 24th and 25th were in a Saturday and Sunday, respectivelly. So we managed to party exactly during Xmas (Christmas is not a holiday in Japan, and many students and workers have to work/study on the 25th when it's on a weekday).

Another fortunate thing was that just a couple of days before (23rd I think) it snowed hard in most parts of Japan. I even posted some pics back then. So, in Nikko we also had lots of snow to play with! Including a rotenburo (open-air bath). Imagine taking a hot bath under the snow... Perfect! Haha!

And what else can be said? "Real" Xmas with a "real Xmas dinner" and surrounded by friends... That was one of my best times in Japan back then. On the next day, a visit to Toshogu (Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum) before going back to Tokyo.


Back to the present. This time, the event was on 22nd and 23rd (because it had to be held on a weekend, as I said before). And this time I wasn't too sure if I should go or not. Since I had a good time two years ago, I decided to give it a shot again this year. Besides, this time I'd know more people around there since some people from other events I've been, like "churrascada de Gifu" or "京都の紅葉" would be there. As well as some old friends, like Claus and Seiji (who I've first met at 2005' Nikko Xmas).

But, since I took some time to decide, Moonlight Nagara was not an option anymore. So I tried the night bus. The only problem is that it was an "extended weekend" (the 24th - Monday - was a holiday). Meaning: LOTS of people travelling.

But after meeting the group everything was allright. There were other reminescents from 2005' Xmas and a friend who came to Japan together (via Monbusho scholarship), but I'd never met since April - Minghini.


Less snow around the Okunikko Kougen Hotel this time, but more fun. And, just as before, Xmas party with friends is the perfect way to celebrate! (Well, there's the family... but being thousands of kilometers away surely complicates things.)


After partying until late at night (some didn't sleep), we went to Toshogu. And from there back to Tokyo. In Tokyo, I had to wait for my bus at 11pm... We arrived before 5pm. So I went to check Claus' new house (it's become some sort of tradition... I always pay him a visit when I go to Tokyo), play DDR and Carcassonne (it was fun, even though I always lost) until I had to leave. Valeu pela hospitalidade!

And thanks to all who organized the event and those who were there. Those are the two necessary things for it to be successful!

For those wondering about the post title, it's the b2007 motto, meaning that not even the rain can beat us; and inside our hearts it'll always be a nice sunny day. Those are my wishes to you in 2008!