I once had an opportunity to visit the Japanese city of Hamamatsu and see their kite festival where they fly colourful kites to bring their children health, strength and courage and have kite battles. Preparations for the day included making enormous kites, decorating floats and making sweets. On the first day of the festival a lot of teams in different costumes embroidered with elaborate designs were flying their kites for families that recently had their first child. The aim of the battle was not to win a prize, but for the teams to show off their skills. I spent the last evening of the festival watching the floats and realizing that the memories of the festival will stay with me forever.
