Jacaranda

by Thong Nguyen
(Chofu, Tokyo, Japan)

I love jacaranda trees. I like to think of them as Australia's equivalent to the cherry blossoms in Japan. My home university has a whole road lined with these trees which I walk through everyday. When it's time for them to blossom, the scenery of the trees and the lake always makes me stop to admire the view.

These trees bloom in mid to late October during spring in Australia. During this time we hold a festival -- known as the Jacaranda Festival -- in a park which is lined with hundreds (not literally) of jacaranda trees. The festival is always held in a place that's so close to my house, that I usually climb on the roof and watch the amazing fireworks show every year (except this year, of course T_T ).

Jacaranda trees also have a significant meaning like cherry blossoms. When cherry blossoms bloom in Japan, it marks the beginning of the school year. However, when jacaranda trees bloom in Australia, we all get a little depressed, as that marks the beginning of the end of year exams........... I hate this time of year. :P