The Den, the foreigner bar that has been a staple of Asahikawa since its opening about two years ago, will soon be closing to undergo a change in management. Me and my guests for the weekend all decided to visit the Den before they close temporarily. While there, Travis, James, and Sarah all pose for some <ahem> thoughtful pictures.

The "Sketchy Guy" picture

The "Travis trying to impress Sarah by pretending he just said something funny to James" picture

Take that James!

Take that..um..everyone!

Travis's "Requiem for a alcoholic" pose

    The annual Asahikawa Winter Festival took place this weekend. Lavonda and I went out on Sunday night to get a few pictures of it. I didn't get to make it out to Sapporo this year for the Sapporo Snow Festival, but I think the smaller Asahikawa festival is just as nice.

Some of the smaller snow sculptures were for kids to play on

The large sculpture this year was in honor of our zoo, which was just voted the number one zoo in all of Japan

Fireworks over the animal house

Boom!

There was a light village in the park

Complete with a laser show

They filled the air was a fog so that the laser was more visible

For some reason, this was one of my favorite ice sculptures this year

A close up of that sculpture

The roses are actually carved inside the ice globe (the globe was made in halves and put together)

A lot of sculptures has ice walls as well this year

Angelfish

A young maiden

The God of Fire...on ice!

Patrick, an American Exchange Student at one of my schools, and his date

Lavonda and Myself

    The JET Program holds a conference every year for its participants that are returning to their home countries this year. It is a chance to learn about job opportunities after JET, how to market the JET experience to potential employers, reverse culture shock, etc. It was a great conference and I learned a lot. Before the conference, I took a short trip to Tokyo and Kamakura as well. I took a lot of pictures, so I made a seperate page for them on the pictures page. Follow this link to see them: Tokyo, Kamakura, and 2005 Returners Conference Pictures Page