Again it was one of those events we were hesitant to go to. The main reason, it was only one day. And that one day is Sunday. I’m usually busy on Sundays doing other things and to prepare for the coming week. And a couple day before, I sprained by back doing some work at home. So I had only little enthusiasm to go, much less spend money. So we didn’t decide to go until late Saturday night. My cousin Richard wanted to go so I though he informed everyone. It became his gig.

Sunday morning, he came to pick me up then we picked up Lawrence. I figured everyone else was busy doing other things because they didn’t go. The plan was to leave at 8, but we wound up leaving around 10. We got the Irvine Great Park around 11 and it was already in the high 80s. It was hitting a wall of heat when we got out of the car. Then again, we were directed to park somewhat far from the entrance because there was another even going on close by. The walk to the entrance to the fair was “like the Bataan Death March,” I commented. I knew it was a totally irresponsible comment I made considering the event and the situation, but it was already so damn hot and we were walking through dead grass and dying trees.


Entrance

We got our tickets. Unbeknownst to me, the promo card that I got from Nisei Week for the OC Japan Fair was for two free tickets instead of one. So I basically paid for myself while Richard and Lawrence got in for free. Hell, it was only five bucks. When we entered the Fair, it looked somewhat empty. The stands were set up in the traditional Japanese fashion, side-by side along the sides of the fair. Product sales were closer to the entrance, while going further toward the back were the food stands. I was expecting a temple at the end, but instead was a stage for the events and performances. Oh, did I fail to mention that it was almost unbearably hot. There were more people than places to sit, relax and dine. And most and foremost, there was no shade! Did I mention it was hot!


Booths

Anyway, we made to past the many competing food stands to the stage area. There was also a stand with cute maids selling food, but we didn’t stop by. At one end was a takoyaki stand. It was nearing noon so we wanted to eat some takoyaki. The line snaked around to the side of the stand and to the back parking area. We must have been in line for almost an hour to get our takoyaki. But while in line, I met some fellow otaku that were in line behind us. Before this, we were joking around about how easily we could point out all the otaku in the Fair. Talking to guys behind us helped shorten the time in line. We must’ve discussed things from Full Metal Alchemist to Seitokai Yakuindomo to Final Fantasy. To me, it was interesting how this person was so animated in the discussions.


Takoyaki Line - 45 min wait

After paying our $6.50 to $7 takoyaki and drink, it was difficult finding a place to sit and eat. We wound up eating in the seats in front of the stage–in direct sunlight. Did I mention there was little shade? Apparently, the takoyaki stand was the same one as in Little Tokyo. The takoyaki was a little undercooked, being more soggy inside.

When we finished eating, were walked around the other side toward the entrance. Not much to see, more food and product stands. The game stands were down along the center. I, or maybe all of us, assumed that there were going to be more stands selling anime goods, but there were not. There was a couple…the usual plush toys, Hello Kitty, etc. As we walked more, there was Kotobukiya stand selling some anime figures. Well, mostly Marvell-style figures and a few books.

Finally we made to what little shade there was. So cooling down a bit, we went into the Akira Kurosawa Museum. It was cool to see come all his artwork, movie posters and his connection to Hollywood. After this, it was back to shade. We eventually walked another round, stopping to see the sumi-e artist on stage and then finding some one dollar tea drinks. Well worth the dollar.

We were are the shade near the entrance again to cool down. While there, beside us, a little fell due to heat exhaustion. The police came by to render first aid. The first aid crew were notified and came by with ice and ice water to cool down the girl. The girl was ok and luckily nothing much more serious occurred.


AniMaid Cafe Show

The Maid Show was about to come up and we went to see it. Richard stayed behind to cool down more. At the stage, in the mid-day sun, the Maid Show began. Aside from the eye candy, it all wasn’t that great. Only the cute girls were worth the standing up and watching in the heat. Good thing it wasn’t too long. Lawrence got sunburned. So after buying more dollar tea drinks to cool down, we went back to meet with Richard and left. We couldn’t take the heat anymore. It was time to go. Now, if it wasn’t for the extreme heat, we would’ve stayed for the 4 o’clock cosplay show and the 5 o’clock Maid Show again. There much more to enjoy, but anyway...

On the way back, we stopped at Fry’s Electronics, ate at Carl’s and stayed at my house to cool down and relax. All in all, the extreme heat killed the day for us. Maybe next year, it'll be cooler. We will see.