If you job is selling cotton candy at parades, how can you not smile?
When I lived in Japan I was often asked what my favorite food was. I always answered straight-faced: watagashi -- which is the Japanese word for cotton candy. I was only half joking. It is definitely my favorite candy. I like the texture, a texture truly fitting its name. I also like the texture when you squish and roll up a wisp of cotton candy, which makes it hard and almost crunchy.
I photographed this cotton candy vendor while waiting for a parade to begin in downtown St. Petersburg. I was surprised to draw his attention from across the street as I photographed him using my Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8 D lens at the full 200mm length. Him looking into the lens and smiling I think greatly improves what otherwise would have been an anonymous street photography shot.
Cotton candy is a ludicrous $500 ($5) in Tokyo. I was disappointed to see that it is still expensive ($3) even in the U.S. However, no matter what the price, this time, like most times, I could not stop myself from buying a bag. I prefer pink over blue in case you ever wanted to ever surprise me with some.