In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

March is fulfilling its proverbial destiny. Yet again, the month is ending in a much more pleasant and less ferocious way than it began. Spring has arrived along with brief moments of lovely weather. I've taken this to mean that I don't have to wear jackets anymore and that it is time to wear skirts, short sleeves and sandals. I might be a little bit cold, but you won't hear me admit it. Instead, I'm busy seeing, doing and photographing everything again.

Kyoto-ites are all abuzz with excitement about the "Sakura Front." Yes, that's right. The arrival of first bloom and peak bloom times for the cherry blossoms are forecast on the news each day alongside the weather. They say the first blooms hit Kyoto and Uji on March 24th and the first blooms arrived in Osaka and Nara on March 26th. The estimated peak cherry blossom viewing times for our region are estimated to be between March 30th and April 10th this year.

I'm looking forward to my first hanami experience! Hanami means flower viewing (hana= flower, mimasu/miru= to see, to look, to view) and it is a uniquely Japanese custom of taking time out to enjoy the beauty of flowers. Although, flowers, in this case, almost always means cherry blossoms!