It has been 10 days...
There was Japan Matsuri at Trafalgar Square, the world-famous historical place, held on the 5th October.
This is the 4th time an-an took part in this event...
Every year, more people seem to turn up for this event.
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You can see Lady N's smiley face.
Just before the event started.
From the first in the morning, my husband and my very reliable helper Lady N drove up there to open on time.
We must have been the "not easy stall holder" for the event... As we had to ask for arranging the latest slot to turn up the delivery car to get in. But still then, they had to leave house at 6:30 in the morning... well it was before the dawn.
I actually wanted to take a food stall there, but I could not afford the whole space... The only option was to get a half space as a shop stall. The down side was I could not use any cooking equipment... The hardest thing was not be able to use steamer there.
So I had to get a help through night to steam a lot of Dangos and Mochis, making Ohagi. As I managed to start making Strawberry Mochi, the clock was already at 5 o'clock.
Three box full of Strawberry Mochi could go to London with all other Manju and Mochi as the first delivery, and start the business.
At 8am, I send away my children to their friend's house to be looked after. It was already 9am when I went back to my kitchen to 100 more Strawberry Mochi.
By the lunch time, I packed all the Mochi in a bag and jumped on the London train.
I really regretted I did not use a grandma's trolley later on...
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After 90 min's deep sleep, the train arrived at Victoria Station. Then I took the Underground to Westminster... I thought there was a line to get to the nearest Tube station...Charing Cross...Well, I made a mistake, so I decided to take bus to Trafalgar Sq.
I started feeling my bag was getting heavier and heavier...It must be over 7Kgs.
When I reached to my stall, it was already after 2:30pm and most of sweets boxes were empty!
Apparently, "There was a queue for a while," Lady N told me with excitement.
I found out not a lot of boxes for taking away are left... I should have brought some extras as I bought a bulk of boxes for this event.
Then, I freed Lady N and start attending customers with my foggy head.
Finally, no boxes left. I asked for using a wooden boat shaped plates for taking away. Thanks for kindness, no customer complained about it. Phew.
By 4:30, I apologized customers waiting behind the queue and all my sweets were sold out.
To some of who came to visit my stall after sold, I thanked and apologized... I was not expecting all the sweets goes so quickly!
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Then, I had nothing to do...
When I looked at next neighbor, a beautiful shop selling lovely hand-made accessories and knitted shawls. They are the volunteers supporting the people who was hit by the earthquake in 2011.
They are not selling some imported goods produced by company. They are selling up-cycled goods which was made by hands of Miyagi prefecture.
Here is the more detail.
The information booklet PDF can be downloaded through the link above.
This was done by unpaid volunteer graphic designer. Amazing.
Anyway, I don't have anything to sell, and no point to keep this space for me.
So, I kept a small corner of the table to place a sing of "Sold out" and an-an's leaflets, and opened the rest to Miyagi Prefecture Supporting Group to spread their products.
I liked their products. I was moved and wished if I could do something for them. There was another reason...I used to send a part of sales to Japan Red Cross for about one year...but I stopped as the use was not clear. Since then, I was always looking for ways to help the people influenced by the earthquake.
As I had a bit of good feeling...
They gave me a bottle of camellia oil and a cute hat as a return of giving away the space!!!
I did not meant to expect any return, I was satisfied by their smiley faces and sales increase...I felt a bit unease.
"I am sure if the people made all these products were here, they must want to present something to you!"
The instigator of this stall was Ms Ryoko Mutasono. She has a fashion brand based on London. She is very open and cute. She told me in that manner... and she chose a hat and accessories to go with it... and put it on me. Thank you so much!
I just put on the lovely hat now. Sorry for the model in pajamas!
I will load another photo when I dressed up!
I remembered I was invited to my friend's birthday dinner on the following day, so I bought a couple broaches, made with an old Kimono garments. They are all different as they are all hand-made. I chose one special broach for my friends. I am glad she really liked it!
Ms Mutasono on the left...She is very cute woman... if she posed normally. X-)
She is so funny! (an-an)"Ah..Well, is this really ok?" (Ms M)"Yes, yes, yes, that's me!"
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No car could park anywhere close, we needed to wait till 9 pm. My husband and I had a lovely time our selves without kids! Looking around the stalls was interesting. The performances on the stage were even more exciting! My husband was glued by Shiro-A's rhythmical and colorful stage.
Geisha girls ... some decades ago?
They were very popular.
Captain Wellington looking down the stage.
"How bizarre... London is now!"
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Thank you for friends how visited an-an the first in the morning, friends who came long way from everywhere in England, and customers who came back over and over not to miss Strawberry Mochi's second delivery.
The words "Thank you" is no longer enough. You support and help an-an.
Customers, helpers and my kids' classmates's mums and dads... an-an cannot exist without your help.
Big, Biiiig Thank you!
...So, this is the final memory of the day through the car window. Saying Good night to the Big Ben.
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Sono
（Ms Ryoko Mutasono's Fashion Brand）
www.sonofromlondon.co.uk
www.facebook.com/sonofromlondon
www.sonofromlondon.blogspot.com
studio@sonofromlondon.com
07788722862 （携帯）
