Trip out to "Inaka"

[inaka=countryside=the place where my friend cindy resides in now] ok, i finally had the chance to go out of tokyo after 4mths in tokyo. where else to go but visit my "inaka mono" (country bumpkin) friend cindy low. she lives in niigata, but not really niigata since it is another 2 hrs bus ride to niigata city. nonethless, the town she is in is a lovely place. quite a refreshing change from downtown tokyo, roppongi. highlights of my 2 day trip to her town:(i) slow train ride; (ii) bull fight; (iii) dinner at a german beer hall (with terrible service!!); (iv) karaok at her local karaok bar (!!!) (ps. and cindy actually sings!!); (v) cheering for the local young kids for their summer festival (despite the rain); (vi) "gelato" brunch at her local gelato store (yummy yummy, mine was a pumpkin and greentea flavor); (vii) lunch at a european styled retaurant serving yummy food; (viii) baseball batting; (viv) summer festival in the next town (despite the rain); (x) chill out at a local chill out pub ( i like it!!), and finally my torturing night bus ride back to tokyo. and yes, back to work right after. it was fun overall. it was a great escapade from tokyo. thanks cindy.
one of the bulls. of course i dont know his name.
"sumo" bullfight. imagine bull fighting, in sumo style. it was not easy seeing thro the whole 15 rounds of fight cos of the rain. my camera broke down thereafter.i cant view my pics anymore.;( time for new camera..haha
the night started out great with just the 2 of us. then as more people (6 more eventually), we became "shy". anyway our voices were drowned by their loud noises. more shockingly, cindy actually sang. i have never heard her sing before.;) "holiday..holiday..celebrate".."cos we are living in a material world" ( U ROCKS, CINDY!)
ok, i was dragged out to the festival. i didnt think people would be so enthusiastic cos of the rain. well, i was wrong...
ok, the unforgetable sunday "brunch". gelato (pumpkin flavor, and green tea flavor). trust me, it is one of the greatest lazy morning i had. the view from the shop was fantastic. nothing beats eating gelato while viewing the mountain behind..
my first attempt at baseball. it was great really.i think i became slighter better towards my 6th game, i think. i learned a big lesson on why we should perform warm up exercises before any strenous activities. cos my body ached big time the whole of next week after i came back from niigata.
ok, cindy and i were supposed to wear our yukata (summer festival clothings) for this festival. but alas cos of rain, we were not able to do so. people were still streaming in despite the rain. could have been better though...sighz.