大祓 -Oharae- at the Kamakura Hachiman Shrine

大晦日の今日、鎌倉八幡宮の大祓に行ってきました。

『大祓』 (おおはらえ) というのは、6月と12月の晦日の年2回行われる神事で、日常の罪と穢れを祓いおとし、神々の祝福と加護を祈る行事です。

私は昨年から参加していますが、気分がスッキリし新年を迎えられるので今年も参加しました。

これで気分もスッキリと新年を迎えられます。

I went Oharai "Shinto purification" at the Kamakura Hachiman Shrine in Kamakura new year's eve today.

"Oharae" -Shinto Purification- is a ritual that takes place twice a year of last day of month in June and December, it is an event that purify sins and impurities of everyday life, and prays divine protection and blessing of gods.

I feel refreshed to greet the new year when I participate the event in December, so that I have been participating this event since last year, and also this year as well.

So then, I feel refreshed to greet new year!!

First trip to Europe -初めてのヨーロッパ旅行へ-

仕事も一段落したので、少し早い夏休みとして初めてのヨーロッパ旅行に行く事にしました。初めて選んだ国はスイスとイタリア。

目的は列車でスイスの絶景とイタリアの街並みを観れれば良いなぁ〜と思い、出発の一週間前にツアーを予約。

出発の一週間前の予約という事で、ヨーロッパへのフライトはオーストリアのウィーン経由に。。。という事で、ヨーロッパ三カ国の旅行になりました。

特にこれらの国の知識も無く、列車の旅という事であまり自分でスケジュールを決めず出発。

Austrian Airline @Narita International Airport

Just arrived @Zurich International Airport

Zurich International Airport

I decided to go to Europe for the first time as a little early summer vacation because I worked well each project after the dust settles. I have chosen country for the first time in Switzerland and Italy.

I decided to book a tour for Switzerland and Italy, because I would like to see the natural spectacular views of Switzerland by train and the rooftops of Italy and I booked this tour one week before the departure. 

The thing that booking a week before departure, so that the flight to Europe via Vienna, Austria...

therefore, I was on a trip of three European countries.

I didn't have any knowledge of these countries in particular and it's a train journey, therefore I didn't make schedule of this tour by myself too much when I go to this tour.

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year.
I wish the year of 2012 bring you 
a lot of happiness and smiles.

 新年あけましておめでとうございます。

2012年は、あなたに多くの幸せと笑顔を
もたらすことをお祈りいたします。