Malcolm's been playing in a band called Baobab for the last couple years, and today was their last gig as a trio. It's hard to believe he'll be moving back to New Zealand and we'll likely never meet again (Malcolm's on the drums in the middle).
The other two members - Mirai and Maika (brother and sister) live out in the middle of nowhere on a hill surrounded by rice fields, a really good venue for concerts. Their music is a relaxing mix of violin, guitar, and percussion, and fits so well outdoors with all the greenery. Kind of like Irish folk songs with Japanese lyrics. Here's a pic of the surrounding rice fields. What a beautiful place!
When I showed up one of my favorite high school students (in the red) came up to say hey. I was like, "What are you doing here???" She simply replied, "I live here." Huh? It turns out Mirai and Maika are her brother and sister. I had no idea she commuted to school every morning from such a rural place! She was pretty busy the whole time dishing out curry, selling cookies, and making drinks.
I've known Midori (on the left) practically the entire time I've been in Japan and the strange thing is we've never exchanged phone numbers until now. She's one of the few people around that can speak Italian. Unfortunately her teacher moved back to Italy and she's in search of a new one, so if you're Italian and living in Oita, I know someone who'd love to meet you.
I love these guys. They live miles away but always come to hang out. I've never met brothers that were so inseparable. Hiro (up front) just got a mohawk and is the only person I know that wears traditional wooden clogs wherever he goes. Yusuke's a fireman in the town where they live. Two cool guys, and it's a wonder they're single.
Baobab will go on without him, but it'll never be the same without Malcolm in the middle.
1 comment:
The concert sounds really cool. I'm glad you've been able to find such a large network of friends.
Dude. Is that you in red? It looks like you, but you are so skinny now! ??
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