Saga Int'l Balloon Festa 2006

The only thing that the city I'm living in, Saga, is known for is it's annual hot air balloon festival. It just so happened to fall on the week of my parent's visit...
my favorite was "doraemon" the cute blue character's balloon!

I've never seen so many kids in one place in my entire life... every kindergarten in Saga must have been at the festival this morning! It was Kids Day! Their school uniforms are adorable... some looked like they were on a safari, some looked like little Swiss kids (shorts with suspenders and matching hats), and some uniforms with miniature barets.

Here we are!!!

someone's pet raccoon dog!!! what?!