I was astonished by the scene. by Eva

Hello B Members,
ハーイ！みんな！

As I mentioned previously, I have only been in Japan for a short while so this is my first spring season here. I had heard how many cherry trees there are in Japan and about the tradition of hanami but I definitely had no idea what this really entailed.
私がまだ日本に来て間もないって前にも言ったんだけど、
今回が私にとって日本にきて初めての春の季節なのよ♪
日本には桜の木が沢山あって、お花見という素敵な伝統があると聞いたんだけど、
実際何をするのかは分からなかったの！

Over the last couple of weeks, as the cherry trees started to show signs of blossoming,
I began to sense the excitement from many of the Japanese I talked to, both here at B and
elsewhere.
3月の中旬くらいから桜の花が咲き始めてきて、私が話しをした人たちや「ｂ」のみんな、
他の場所からも興奮が伝わって来たわ！

One evening last week I decided to walk through Yoyogi Koen before an appointment to see
what all this was about.
私は先週の夜、花見が何をするのかを確かめるべく、代々木公園を歩くことにしたの。

I was astonished by the scene.
その光景を見て驚いちゃった！！
There were so many trees, so many blossoms and so many people enjoying them.
そこには沢山の桜の木があって、沢山の楽しそうな人たちがいたから。

Everywhere I looked people were sitting with their friends just basking in this simple,
beautiful creation of nature.
どこを見渡しても、みんな友達と座って至ってシンプルにただ自然の桜に見入っていたわ♪
I was very affected and I promised myself that I would take advantage of this unique
opportunity, only available in Japan, and thoroughly enjoy this sakura season.
私はとっても影響されたの！日本にいる時の桜の季節には必ずお花見をして楽しむと
私自身に誓ったわ♪

Since that day I returned to Yoyogi Koen again and enjoyed an afternoon of hanami with friends.
その日から私は友達と代々木公園にまた行って、午後の桜を楽しんだわ♪
The next day I went to Shinjuku Gyoenand saw my first dark pink sakura.
次の日私は新宿御苑に行ってうす暗いピンクの桜を始めて見たの。
It was lovely to see all the families enjoying hanami, some napping together in the sun.
家族みんなで花見を楽しんでいる姿がとっても素敵だったけど、
何人かの人たちは一緒にお昼寝してたわ。

On Saturday night Iexperienced Yozakura at the Meguro River.
Wow, was it ever beautiful!
土曜日の夜に私は目黒川で夜桜を体験したんだけど、
それは今ま見たことの無い美しさだったわ！！

Thenext day I went to Chidorigafuchi and walked for hours.
次の日は千鳥ヶ淵に行って何時間も歩いたの。
At one point Irealized that, although there were so many many people, it was not at all　noisy.
そこには大勢の人がいるのにうるさくない事にふと気付いたの。

Everyone was very quiet, only speaking in low voices and mostly just silently appreciating
the peaceful Sunday afternoon with contented smiles on their faces.
みんなとっても静かで話す時はとても小声で話しをしていたの。
でもみんな笑顔で平和な日曜日の午後を有意義に過ごしていたわ。
This touched me deeply.
これはとても深く心に響いたわ。
Then on Monday afternoon, on a whim, I jumped on the subway and went to Ueno Park.
月曜日の午後、私は気まぐれで地下鉄に飛び乗って上野公園に行ったの。
There I saw adifferent side of the festivities, with many people enthusiastically
celebrating with music, food and drinks.
そこでは今までのお花見とは違う一面を見たわ。沢山の人が飲んで歌って
大賑わいだったの。
It was also great to experience.
それは大きな経験になったわ。
I thought Ueno Park would be my last opportunity but a friend just invited me to go on
the boat ride on the Sumida River and, since I am free that afternoon, I will go!!
私は上野公園に行って、今年はこれが最後だと思っていたんだけど、
友達が隅田川のボートに乗りに行こうと誘ってくれたの！
その日お午後からは何も無かったから行ってこようと思います！

I just can’t get enough of it.
でもまだまだ満足する事は出来ないの。
The beauty of the　blossoms is only a part of the reason I have been enjoying this so much.
The other part has been seeing how many people take the time to go look at the blossoms and witnessing how much they sincerely appreciate it.
美しい花をみて満足するのも理由の一つだけれど、
もう一つの理由はみんながわざわざ桜を見に行って心からそれを
楽しんで敬意を表す独特の文化が素敵だと思ったわ！

It is atruly endearing quality of this Japan I am slowly getting to know.
これは私が日本に来て知ることが出来た本当にとても素敵な文化よ。

I realize that I have been visiting all the most popular spots for hanami
so I have already started think about next spring.
私はすでに人気のお花見スポットには行ったから来年の春に向けての
お花見を考え始めてるわ！
I will search for the lesser-known spots.
まだあまり知られていないスポットも探してみるわ。

If any of you have any suggestions I would be very grateful to hear them.
I am also looking forward to hearing all your hanami stories.
もし誰かお花見のお勧めスポットを知っていたら是非教えてくれたら嬉しいわ！
あなたからのお花見の話しが聞ける日を楽しみにしているわ！
I very much hope that all of you had a chance to enjoy some time under the cherry trees.
みんなで桜の木の下で楽しめる日が来ることを願っているわ！

See you soon!
それじゃまたね！
Eva
エヴァ