Pageant of Light

 On this evening I went into Sendai for a bonenkai, year forgetting party, with the members of the Sendai Book Club. Ten of us went to this Italian restaurant, Mia Angela, for two hours of good food, good drink, and good discussion. There was plenty of each to go around. After our scheduled time was up, about half of us went to a coffee shop to chat for another hour or so. It was the last night that one of our members, Ginger, would see us for the next two years. She and her husband are moving to Cambodia in relation to his work.

 On the way to the coffee shop, we walked through the Pageant of Light. The trees on two of the main downtown streets are covered with LED lighting for Christmas. I think that the celebration of Christmas is very interesting since there are few Christians here. The celebration consists of decorations and constant Christmas music in public places. It is a time for dating, if you are not yet married. Also I think that more and more people are giving children presents for Christmas.

 This peddle cab went by, covered with lights and driven by Santa Claus.

The dark area in the middle is one of the many statues that are installed on this street.