Sakura Matsuri 2008

at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

May 4
We started our visit with getting Stephanie stuck in a tree.
This hole went all the way to the other side! And the tree was still pretty healthy and everything.
A first view of the crowds at the BBG.
Fishies!
You could pose with giant sushi pillows.
Anthony tenders an offering to the giant hungry woman.
The first kimono-clad ladies I saw.
The first bend in the path around the Japanese section of the garden.
Fallen petals strewn over the rocks.
The crowd in the Japanese section of the garden winds all the way around the path.
It just wouldn't be a trip to the BBG without a visit to the Shinto shrine.
I wanted a picture of my obi, even though it didn't come out quite right.
This is a much nicer picture, though.
The beautiful waterfall in the Japanese section of the garden.
If I had a faster camera, you could see just how prettily each droplet of water was sparkling in the sun.
Then Dennis pointed out that if we just walked a bit to our right, there was actually a much better view of three falls to the waterfall.
My pretty butterfly kimono--I thought that it was perfect for spring.
Unfortunately, it was a little small for me (damn those tiny Asian women!) and I will most likely be gifting it to Jess.
Still, it was fine for one day.
Turtles in the pond!
A close up of the turtles.
The little island in the middle of the pond.
This is the path where I photographed the waterfall, seen from the other side of the pond.
A picture of the floating Torii that denotes the presence of the Shinto shrine.
These fish were SWARMING. It was actually a little frightening.
Stephanie and I.
You pansy.
The Shakespeare garden.
The third kimono I saw of the day.
A better shot of our kimonos.
Now see! THIS is the proper way to wear a kimono!
Dave and I.
Let me tell you, resting on your heels is SO HARD! I don't know how the Japanese do it for more than 10 minutes at a time! I know they practice, but how do you learn not to lose circulation in your legs?
Jess showing Louis a picture of a monkey.
Louis showing Anthony a picture of a monkey.
This is what you saw if you just lifted your head and looked up. They were everywhere.
This little girl was so adorable!
Time for couple pictures! Stephanie and Anthony.
I am the queen of the 2-seconds-too-late pictures. This was supposed to be a cute shot of Dennis fluffing his hair for the picture.
Jess and Dennis.
I think this is another "2-seconds-too-late" picture, but I don't remember what I meant to get.
Jess and Dennis being cutie.
Louis and I.
Love Amongst the Roses Cherry Blossoms.
The guys.
The girls.
Seriously, who would expect a Cherry Blossom Festival, of all things, turning into such a sausage party?
Stephanie is big pimpin'.
Dave and I again.
Posing like an old Asian couple. (They never smile.)
Japanese Gothic.
And now some nicer pictures.
And again.
Making use of my fan.
This is pretty cute.
The Forgotten Sunglasses.
A pretty Anna!
She's always so well put together.
"Well, if you're going to take pictures with all the guys, then I want to take pictures with the girls!"
Louis and Jess.
Dennis and I.
I ruin yet another picture with my spectacularly retarded facial expressions.
There we go.
Linwood and I.