The Japanese Emperor's Birthday Party in Kigali

Tuesday, November 27th we were invited to celebrate the Emperor of Japan's Birthday! 

The Japanese Embasssy had a big party in his honor... even

though he was back in Japan.   The Japanese Ambassador's wife,

Machiko and I have become freinds via AIC,  the concert committee and also

from exercising class, so we were invited to the party.

 The ambassor and his wife on the left and i have no idea
who is on the right.... but someone from the embassy no doubt.
The party was held at the Japanese residence--which was beautiful.

 A shot of all of us together. 

Another one of my exercise buddies and also
a friend from AIC, Emi and her husband.  She looked
so pretty in her Mother's kimono, but she said she could
barely breathe!  Oh, the price of beauty!

     The Japanese lantern... is a little too close to the camera,

   (It looks like a giant water cooler in the picture but it was really quite small.)
but this is where they served the buffet.

 Maria (l)and her husband Terry (not pictured) are getting ready to go
on another assignment and they will be leaving in Jan.
 She is pictured here with our US
Ambassdor's wife, Cindy (r) who you have met before.
I forget the man's name in the middle.   

 Two more AIC friends, Mitra and Edna
both enjoying themselves.

There were a LOT of people present.

The Ambassador gave a short address about the
emperor and everyone was very impressed when
he delivered a lot of it in Kinyrwanda--even his jokes! 

The crowd listening to the ambassador

 Alex and Atsushia and Bruce.
Guys Bruce works with at Telecom house.

Anne from AIC and her husband and their friend

And the pictures of the emperor and his wife.

Akihito (明仁^?, born 23 December 1933) is the current reigning Emperor of Japan (天皇tennō^?), the 125th emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession. He acceded to the throne in 1989.  

  

                 Ok..  this says his birthday is Dec. 23...  but this was they day we celebrated!  I think the emperor's wife looks like our Machiko....except she is older.  Both are beautiful and sophisticated. This was quite a party and I'm so grateful Machiko asked us to come.  

I wrote to her, Emi and Kyokoto see if their families are ok... after the earthquake in Japan. Only heard from Emi and most of her family is in Osaka... so she said they were all fine.  I trust for the other two that their famiilies are ok, too.

  Thanks again for a wonderful evening! 

love,

margie