I just returned from watching the hanabi (fireworks) at Onoyama Park. The park was jammed with people, this being the last night of matsuri. I teased my friend because she showed up in jeans and T-shirt. I told her I expected her to be wearing a kimono. She told me only teenagers wear yukata for matsuri and that did indeed seem to be the case. Still there sure were a lot of kimonos to be seen everywhere. Very pretty.
A breeze came up today so Okinawa no longer feels just like a sauna. Now it feels like a sauna with a fan in it. Actually, we went and sat along the banks of the Kokuba River while waiting for the hanabi and it was quite comfortable once the sun went down. Also quite entertaining as the river rats emerged from their holes at night and scampered around through the crowd. You could track where they were by watching dark silhouettes of people jumping and screaming in surprise.
The hanabi started around 8:20 and was very beautiful and intense. Only thing was it only lasted about 5-6 minutes. But it was a free show so I’m not complaining.
Tomorrow will be a full day down south. We’ll leave the hotel at 08:20 and not return until 18:30. I imagine I’ll sleep well tomorrow night.