Hanami

The best part of my time in Japan was the introduction to hanami, or the spring flower viewing party.  I've always loved flowers, but never truly appreciated the beauty of flowering trees along a hillside or a light breeze that launches hundreds of petals into the air like snow.  Sitting outside under paper lanterns with your best friends, drinking chu-hi and taking in the loveliness of a spring evening is comparable to nothing.  

I saw these trees the other day, while hiking at dusk and was transported to a happy night, millions of miles ago.