Adventures in Okinawa

Well here I am...over two years since I've last posted.  Life and time has gotten away from me.  Now, I'm starting my third year here in Okinawa.  I've had many, many new adventures and met so many great people along the way.  At times, I can't believe that this is my seventh year away from home.  It's caused me to realize that now 'home' is more how I feel when I'm with friends and family and less an actual place.

I fully intend to catch up and fill you all in on my travels since my last post.  But first, I feel that I have to tell you more about my current home, Okinawa.  Though it is a bit disputed, it's thought that the original inhabitants of Okinawa were from China with Micronesians, Japanese, and other Pacific Islanders also a part of the mix.  The culture here is as ancient as mainland Japan, but definitely has more influence from the Chinese that I notice.  One is the Shisa.  These are lion dogs or guardian lions that are traditionally used as guardian spirits and can be seen at shrines, temples, and many entrances to home and businesses around the island.

Okinawa is only 65 miles long and the entire island can be circumnavigated in one day.  As most of you know me quite well, I have explored much of it and can become a bit stir crazy.  After WWII and the famous Battle of Okinawa, the US took possession of the island and kept it until 1972 when we handed it over to Japan.  Because of the volatile history here, many Okinawans have strong opinions of both the US and Japan...sometimes negative ones.  There are many reasons for this and I encourage you to research a bit to gain perspective.  As I mentioned before, Okinawa is only 65 miles long.  However, Okinawa's location is strategically important for the US and accounts for the tens of thousands of Americans stationed here on bases that take up over one-fifth of the island.  It also accounts for the massive amount of air traffic that disturbs my weekend slumber as my apartment is near the flight line.

Speaking of apartments, this is the first time in my life that I've lived in one.  I've inhabited houses, trailers, dorm rooms, and a sorority house but never an apartment.  I have to say there are positives such as no yard work, calling my housing company for annoyances, and limited preparations for my travels.  In addition, this is the first place where I feel like a real adult.  I have rugs that match, towels for guests, a new couch and a bed that wasn't purchased from a garage sale.  But, there are also negatives like the family of seven that live on the fourth floor and have taken over the place by running and screaming down the walkways, skateboarding in the parking lot (when there's a skatepark literally 100 yards away), and refusing to pick up their dogs' massive dumps.  All in all, it's been an adventure and my apartment has been home to more great times and good friends to count.  Plus, the view of the sunsets over the East China Sea is spectacular!