Of black dresses and white aprons.

I usually do not bother with the Japantown events in San Jose since most boil down to a street fair of merchants selling stuff I do not need at prices I cannot afford at a venue where parking is next to impossible. But upon hearing of the Fanimaid Cafe setting up shop there and recalling my pleasant experience with them during Fanime 2009, I decided to jump into the sea of black dresses and white aprons.

As expected, parking was a nightmare and a half. I finally found a space and took in the sights of the festival. Food and merchant booths lined Japantown in downtown San Jose. Since I do not carry cash, I hit the market for bottled tea. The initial sweep for cosplayers revealed a low turn out, so I retreated to the designated Fanimaid Cafe location. It was conveniently located near one of the performance stages so patrons could easily sit down for a drink served by the Fanimaids while watching a live show. Unfortunately, people already sat themselve down before the Fanimaid Cafe could set up. Shooing them away was an awkward experience.

Despite having no affiliation with the Fanimaid Cafe, I found myself hanging there assisting a maid or two with their shading. It was less being a gentleman and more about not wanting the short Fanimaids to accidentally hit me with the umbrella every time they turned.

While watching thirsty Japantown visitors receive chilled beverages served by the Fanimaids, I eventually turned my head to the performance stage featuring the traditional flute, some fire dancers, and Anime Myu.

It got hot so we all retreated to the Fanime anime video room for drinks and shade after the Fanimaids finished their service. Some maids ended up entering the coloring contest.

After dipping into the bubble blower supply indoors, it was one final shoot with the remaining maids outdoors. The sea of black and white was overpowering.

The after party was held at a place called Hello Dessert. I had a hell of a time trying to find my car. But after walking a mile in my shoes, I finally found it and made it there and its neighboring yogurt shop. The frozen yogurt shop had a variety of yogurt flavors to go along with the mislabeled yogurt toppings of FAIL.

Returning to Hello Dessert, it was simply a time to chill after the broiling day at the Fanimaid Cafe. Nothing makes a dessert sweeter than being surrounded by cute girls to look at and good company to talk to.

Once all the pretty Fanimaids and the not so pretty male chaperones left, it was just a bunch of manly men trying to figure out what to do. With a heavy work schedule early the next day, I called it a night and spent the next few nights trying not to see white aprons and black dresses everywhere I looked.