TIME:: Sunday June 6th, 15:21
Not 20 minutes ago, a moment that may only happen once in a lifetime happened. On this cloudy, somewhat rainy day... the Olympic torch would be carried through Shibuya.
OMGF!!!
Little back-story... at 4, Nick got a hold of me with a email reading "Olympic torch coming through Shibuya at 4:30." So I called him and we talked and I realized it was 4:15ish. From my house to the station takes 15 minutes and then it:s another 25 minutes to Shibuya. Bottom line is that I can:t make it. BUT WAIT!
It had been raining. Now first off, Hachiko is always best when it rains. I think I mentioned that in an earlier indie adventure. Second off, people don:t run fast when it rains. So maybe... (DonMarco then bolted out the door, grabbing the first shirt and socks he could find.)
To control the crowds of people. Wait, let me explain this. Normally the crosswalk opens up once every three minutes. All car traffic is stopped and roughly 2,000 to 5,000 people walk across this one crosswalk of the way into of from Shibuya. Now throw in a parade or Olympic relay and you still have the normal volume AND a few thousand more just standing around waiting for this once-in-four-years event. OKAYSORRY. The sign says don:t push. I got another shot of this later.
They owned Hachiko for the the day. Or the hour, at least. Mighty pillars of law and order, they assisted people in crossing the road and blew whistles and stuff. But, boy, were there a lot of them. 50-60 plus 40 volunteers would be my guess.
Oh yeah, expecting a violent pushing-frenzy from us gentle commoners, the volunteers formed a mighty impressive defense system called "Das Chein". Also note the police man. Highlight of his day, I:m sure.
One of four. They came immediately after the opening police cars. Their only purpose is to burn fuel and have a large sign. In case you were just waling around and wondering what was coming down the street. I should also point out, that from here on, the picture quality takes a slight hit. I switched the zoom feature on. If you look at the picture before this, over the guys, the people on the other side of the street are like 3 or 4 pixels tall. In this one, they are almost 3 times that height.
Next up was the red car. Also the front half of a police bike. There were about three of these.
A bus. For when the runner get tired or something. One of four I saw in the parade. Three in front, one in back.
Enjoy. This is all you get to see. It:s pretty much all I saw to. The main runner had four or five mini-runner assistants who followed around the main torch-runner. Lots of runners. One torch. Did you enjoy? Am I wasting my time explaining this crappy crappy picture taken of people running from a distance of 45 meters??
Last up was the ambulance. Show:s over, folks!
Great picture. He was making a double-peace sign with his hands, but that proved difficult for him, you know, holding two signs already in his hands and all. Note to self: next time remember to use flash.
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Again, thank you, Nick. Thank you for never sending me the picture YOU got that day.
world PEACE!!
