"Whoa, there!" I laugh as Tess trips over her kimono for the third time.
I adjust the sleeves of my own kimono, grateful it's not quite as long as Tess's, and even more grateful I passed on the traditional wooden sandals.
They look cool, sure, but if the trouble Tess is having is any indication, they definitely weren't made for foreigners who don't know how to wear them.
"Hello!" Some Japanese boys pass by and give us a wink. "Very beautiful!"
I laugh and shake my head when Tess blows them a kiss. Ever the charmer, that girl. She's been loving the attention we've received during our two-week stay in Tokyo, while I haven't really known what to do with it.
She's used to receiving attention anywhere she goes, with her curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes, but I'm not. My plain brown hair and green eyes don't exactly make me stand out back at home, not like here in Japan. I prefer blending in with the crowd.
Not Tess though, I think she'd stay here longer if she could. But, unfortunately, tonight's our last night, so we're living it up, renting kimonos for the festival we're at and everything.
"Ikimashou! Ikimashou!" Someone pushes past us, running down the street. I look to see a crowd forming at the end of it and hear loud music starting up.
"Let's go see what's happening." I grab Tess's arm and start guiding her down the street.
"Whoa!" I laugh, watching Tess trip over her kimono for the third time.
I pull on the sleeves of my own kimono, grateful it's not as long as Tess's. I'm even more grateful I'm not wearing the traditional wooden sandals.
They look cool, but I don't think foreigners should wear them. I mean, Tess has already tripped three times!
"Hello!" Some Japanese boys pass by and wink at us. "Very beautiful!"
I laugh and shake my head when Tess blows them a kiss. That girl is such a charmer. She loves attention, and we've definitely gotten a lot of it during the two weeks we've been in Tokyo.
I'm not used to so much attention like Tess is. She's beautiful, with curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes. My hair is brown and my eyes are green, so I don't really stand out.
But, I don't mind; I prefer not to be the center of attention. Tess loves it though, and with how much attention she's received in Japan, I think she'd stay here longer if she could.
But, unfortunately, tonight's our last night. We're making sure we enjoy ourselves and getting a great Japanese experience. So we're at a festival, with kimonos we rented for the night.
"Ikimashou! Ikimashou!" Someone pushes past us and runs down the street.
There's a crowd gathering at the end of the street, and loud music is starting to play.
"Let's go see what's happening," I say, grabbing Tess's arm and walking down the street.