Christmas Eve and KFC

I can't remember if I already mentioned this or not, but Drew discovered, while teaching one of his classes, that Japanese people have a connection between KFC, My Old Kentucky Home, and Christmas.  He had brought in articles about Kentucky including information about the Derby, mint juleps, our state song, etc.  One of his students surprisingly knew our state song and said, "That's a Christmas song, right?"  This confusion has occurred because, apparently, it is a tradition in Japan to eat KFC on Christmas Eve where they happen to sometimes be playing "My Old Kentucky Home".  Thus, people have assumed our state song is actually a Christmas song. Ha!

In order to do as the Japanese do, Drew and I took a trip to KFC on Christmas Eve because where else would anyone eat on this special day?!  We were not disappointed with the experience.  By the time we placed our order there was a long line forming behind us and it was only 4:30 pm.  It wasn't even an option to eat-in because the dining area was roped off and being used for extra staff members who were needed to meet the demand.  It was also interesting to see what their menu had to offer.  The chicken and coleslaw were the same but they had no mashed potatoes and their biscuits were shaped like doughnuts.

See the hole in the middle?  Why?  I guess I've never actually seen a biscuit here, so maybe doughnuts are the closest thing they have.  They even sent packets of syrup as a topping.

That evening we headed to a Christmas "Illumination", as the Japanese like to call it, in the Ashikaga Flower Park.  Wow, wow, and double wow!!!  I can't even explain how amazingly awesome the display was.  My pictures will not do it justice.  Drew knows I love Christmas lights, so he got major husband bonus points on finding this place.

The entrance

Inside a Christmas tree

Wisteria flower display

Pyramids on the ponds 

Having a blast

I had to include a couple videos to at least try to capture the spirit of this place.

To finish off the night we had to, of course, have "Christmas Cake".  Their traditional Christmas cake is a white cake with whipped cream icing and strawberries on top.  Drew brought up three different flavors that were leftover from a Christmas party.  The original, chocolate, and some sort of nut.  

It was great to get the full experience!