First full day in the city

Yesterday was pretty packed.
In the morning, my host mother took me for a walk around the city. As it turns out, the apartment isn't to farm from the city's Apple store.
As we walked around she pointed out various stores and buildings and said what they were.
On our walk we came to the Fukuoka Castle Ruins where there was some kind of ceremony going on. As we approached we were given a small bag with two Mochi balls inside and a program of the event that was taking place. There were about 12 men in a line doing some sort of intricate walk/dance whilst doing a loud call and response chant and holding, passing and spinning sticks that each had what looked like Cousin Itt nailed to the top.
Needless to say I had no idea what was going on.
And I kicked myself for forgetting to bring my camera.
Soon the twirling of wig-sticks ended and three men came out carrying antique muzzle-loading Japanese rifles.
They shot them off at the sky a few times. When they were done four men decked out in samurai armor came out out and to my surprise and dismay didn't do anything spectacular.
Then everything seemed to be over.
We left the castle and went to the park, Ohori Kouen, in the center of the city.
There was a long distance race going on and there appeared to be many kids from different schools there to compete.
We then headed back to the apartment and my host mother made sure I remembered the way back.
I then studied Japanese for a few hours and watched a Japanese sing-along TV show until my host mother took me out again.
First went to the book/video store and I found out she is a big fan of the OC.
She then took me to the food floor of one of the large department stores in the city to get some Takoyaki.
After that meal I was ready to go to study a bit more and then go to bed.
But shortly after we got back to the apartment the son and father came home and had not eaten yet. And there was no way I was going to turn down sushi.
We walked to a restaurant close by and had what was probably at least an 8 course meal. They were surprised that I liked all of the dishes, and that I was willing to try things I wasn't familiar with.
They had me try something I then found out was paste of sea urchin eggs, apparently a delicacy.
Still a bit jet lagged, I promptly passed out when we returned home.

I'm looking forward to starting school tomorrow.
I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update my blog once my schedule gets busier, but I'll try and to it at least a few times a week.

じゃまった
Talk to you later