Weekend Adventures in Okinawa (October 12, 2012)

We had four days off work for the Columbus Day holiday and took full advantage of it!  Saturday we spent the day at Peace Prayer Memorial Park, walking the grounds and museum.  In 1945 the Battle of Okinawa, took the lives of over 240,000 (100,000 of which were civilian deaths).  The names of the dead are carved into the stone cenotaphs and the museum walks through the history of the war and showcases video footage and stories from those who survived.  It was a humbling experience to learn about those who died in the battle. 

On Sunday Jake had the awesome opportunity to participate in the 42^nd Annual Naha Tug of War.  The event is passed down from ancient Ryukyu Kingdom era and is one of the biggest cultural events on the island.  Several hundred thousand people attend the event and approximately 20,000 participate.  The event starts off with a parade of 25 foot tall Hatagashira Flagstaffs presented by teams representing the East and West, wearing traditional Okinawa clothing.  A Royal Court is carried across the top of the rope from each side to middle to challenge each other to the “war”.  Each section of rope is 300 feet long and is pinned together by a 10 foot wooden peg.  The rope weighs 44 tons!  With a 30 minute time limit, the teams must move the rope 5 meters to win and if no side wins, it is a tie.  After the event, people cut off pieces of the rope for good luck in the coming year.  Jake had so much fun joining in the excitement of the crowd yelling “Wa Shoi” and “Hai-ya” and pulling his best for Team East.

Monday we headed to the north end of the island and spent hours combing the beaches of Cape Hedo for shells, rocks and other treasures.  We camped for the weekend right along the beach.  It was our first time camping together.  The weather was perfect, the sounds of the waves crashing at night, and the roaring campfire made for a perfect day!  Tuesday we walked through a Mangrove Park, stopped to buy local pineapple we saw growing along the road, went to Cape Zanpa, and visited Sea Seed a coral farm. 

The best part of the weekend, besides having 4 full days together, was that almost everything we did was free!  There are so many adventures awaiting us in Okinawa. 

Until next time,

Natasha and Jake

Mt. Fuji (October 4, 2012)

At the end of July, my friend Angela met Jake and I on mainland Japan to hike Mount Fuji.  We arrived at the 5^th station of the mountain around sunset with our packs full of supplies and water, we purchased our hiking sticks and started to hike around 7pm.  It was a neat experience to hike by moonlight and headlamps!  Along the trail are huts that sell food, water and supplies, stamps for hiking sticks and a place to rest.  The higher you go on the mountain, the more expensive the items become. You also had to pay 200 Yen every time you needed to use the bathroom.  Around 11pm we decided to rest for a while in one of the many huts that line the mountain.  For about $65 per person, we were given a mat, pillow and blanket, knowing that at 4am everyone would be woken up to see the sunrise.  What a beautiful and amazing sight!  Seeing the sunrise was my favorite part of the hike.  After a quick breakfast, we gathered up our gear and started day two of hiking at 5am.  Shortly after starting day two, I felt like it was a struggle to hike for more than 10-15 minutes without stopping for a break.  Please note:  Mt Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, almost 13,000 feet and many people experience altitude sickness while hiking it and I was three months pregnant!

So to the determent of group, we progressed at a slow pace.  Many times, we would glance to the summit and think how close it looked, knowing how far away it really was.  Six long hours later, the altitude sickness that we experienced and the struggle to get to the top vanished as we arrived at the summit.  We were surprised at all of the activity and little “shops” at the summit.  We stopped for photos, the last stamp on our hiking sticks and lunch.  After eating most of the snacks we had packed a hot lunch seemed in order.  I had seen staff eating fresh corn on the cob so when I saw corn soup on the menu, I thought what a treat it would be!  I could not have been more wrong! When my mini can of “corn soup” arrived, I learned not only was it not fresh, but it was basically corn in some kind of broth that you had to drink from a can! 

The descent of the mountain consists of switchback after switchback of loose volcanic ash gravel.  With every step, your foot would slide and dust would be kicked up into the air.  After about an hour into our trek down, we realize that there is no way we are going to make our pre-arranged bus off the mountain.  Jake was scheduled to fly out at 6am the next morning and we feared that if he didn’t make the bus that he would subsequently miss his flight back as well.  On the back of a receipt, with a borrowed pen we quickly scribbled notes to tell him which train lines to take to which stops for the several trains he would need to take to the hotel after getting off the bus.  With a quick kiss, he was off, hoping to catch the 3pm bus.  It would take Angela and me four long hours to make the descent.  I honestly wanted to sit down on the trail and not move.  We were getting sunburned, without food and water and were beyond exhausted. 

We arrived at 3:40 to find that we had missed the last chattered bus.  We were able to find a local bus to take us to a small town train station.  From there, we boarded four different trains hoping each time that we were one step closer to finding our way back to our hotel in Tokyo.  Sometime after 9pm, tired, dirty and very hungry we arrived at our hotel.  Jake was super excited to see us and while we were excited to see he had made it back okay too, our only thoughts were on food and showers!  We devoured a pizza together, telling our tales of our return adventures and then fell fast asleep.

Jake left the hotel before 4am the next morning, while Angela and I didn’t wake up until after 10am!  Instead of touring Tokyo, we spent the day in our hotel - sleeping, eating, relaxing in the pool and watching the Olympics!  The two of us would then travel by bullet train to Kyoto for five days before returning to the United States. 

Until next time,

Natasha and Jake

Our First Visitor (July 23, 2012)

Last Friday, my brother Rosco arrived to the island for the weekend.  After picking him up at the airport, we headed to the dinner theater to watch traditional Japanese dances performed, while enjoying a 12 course dinner.  I couldn’t stomach many of the courses, so Rosco and Jake lucked out by getting even more to eat.  Afterwards we headed to Kokusai Street, a busy area that is full of shops and restaurants to walk around for a while.  The next morning, we headed to Okinawa World to see the Eisa Dance Show, Snake Show and explore Japan’s largest underground cave, Gyokusendo.  After an ice cream break, we headed to Shurijo Castle to tour and walk around the grounds.  Later that evening we headed to dinner at Yakiniku Viking – a Korean bbq where each table has a built in grill to cook your own food.  We then proceeded to American Village to walk around and show Rosco the seawall and beach area.  There was a festival going on, so traffic delayed us, but we did get to see a fireworks show on our way there.  Sunday morning, we headed to breakfast near the beach and then back to the airport.  The weekend went by so quickly, but Jake and I were thrilled to finally have a visitor and a piece of “home”.  Rosco said he enjoyed his visit, but could never live here because it is too HOT! 

This week was Jake’s birthday and I wanted to surprise him with a little party. I spent several mornings running errands with friends to get the last few things I needed for the party and had everything hidden in the one closet so Jake wouldn’t find out.  The day of the party, I had everything ready when Jake arrived home, but I didn’t want him to know quite yet, even though the kitchen (which is visible in our open floor plan) was full of food.  I kept walking with him, asking him to get a shower to get ready for dinner and following him everywhere he went.  He never noticed all of the birthday stuff!!  About 15 minutes before guests started to arrive he finally saw everything and was excited for the party.  It was fun visiting with friends and relaxing for the evening.  One of the highlights of the evening was when the trick candles took about a minute to relight and surprised everyone when they sparked back to life.  A big thank you to all those who helped me pull off the surprise and for all of you back home who sent cards and care packages to make his birthday extra special.

Until next time,

Natasha and Jake

Okinawa Life (July 13, 2012)

Jake and I are happy to announce that we are expecting baby Fackler in February 2013.  I am currently in week 10 and have been experiencing some pretty tough “all-day” sickness.  Everyone assures me that this stage will end soon and I’m keeping my fingers crossed! I had my first doctor appointment yesterday and they said everything is going well.  Please keep my health and that of our baby in your prayers.  Jake is doing a great job taking care of me and sometimes fending for his own meals when the smell or thought of food turns my stomach.  Due to the heat/humidity of Okinawa, I have not been able to get out much and spend most of my days relaxing with a book or napping on the couch.

Recently we spent one hot weekend volunteering for the USO for the Flight Line Festival at Futenma Airstrip.  For two days we served free brats and burgers to those visiting our tent, with Jake as the Grill Master the one day.  The Japanese were always amazed that the food was free.  They couldn’t understand why we were giving it away.  We had a donation box on the table and they were most generous with the money they gave.  The Military Police on duty at the event frequented our tent for shade and ice cold water.  It was a long two days, but both of us said at the end what a joy it was to serve others during the event.

   

This past weekend we went ocean kayaking for a few hours.  We were able to explore some of the land masses that appear during low tide and saw some really cool tiny bright blue fish and star fish.  Kadena Air Force Base was close by and most of the afternoon, there were different types of planes flying overhead on test runs.   Some evenings we go to the pool on Futenma to swim laps and relax in the cool water on the hot days.  For the most part, we have slowed down on some of our adventures, but this weekend we have our very first guest arriving on island!  My brother Rosco is in Tokyo for business and is flying down later today to spend the weekend with us.  We plan to show him the best of Okinawa in his short visit and I hope to be able to keep up with the schedule we have planned.

Until next week,

Natasha and Jake

Happy Fourth of July (July 4, 2012)

What are you doing to celebrate the Fourth of July?  How are you celebrating our Nation’s Independence Day?  It’s strange but when you live in a foreign country holidays can seem just like any other day.  Many of our National and Religious holidays are not celebrated in other countries.  For Jake and I who both grew up spending time with family and friends during the holidays, this is when we miss HOME the most.  I know for me,  I joined others going to concerts either at Antietam Battlefield or Chambersburg Park, camping or going to family BBQ’s and enjoying the fireworks displays and patriotic music.

Recently we have been around friends who are PCS’ing to their new duty stations and so many discussions have centered on how here in Okinawa we all do with so much less than in the states and get along just as well.  When coming to Okinawa, families are restricted on the amount of stuff they are allowed to bring due to the cost of shipping things here.  We don’t know anyone who drives a drive fancy car and many families use borrowed furniture while here on island.  I arrived here with two suitcases and a few boxes I mailed in advance.  Yes there are days I miss my car, my I-phone, TV and some of my cool kitchen gadgets, but we have learned to live with less.  It is not things we miss, but the people in our lives.

Our time in Okinawa has made us realize even further, the importance of the relationships of those we love and care about.  We don’t have the luxury to jump in the car and come to your house for dinner tonight or see you for special occasions.  We have made some wonderful new friends here, but they do not replace all of you!  This holiday, we want you all to know we think of you and picture the day when we will live back on US soil where we can freely visit and call you our dear friends and family. 

Until next time,

Natasha and Jake

Mission Trip to Thailand (posted June 23, 2012)

After being home from our honeymoon trip for only 9 days, I returned to Thailand with five others from a sister church on a Missions Trip.  The beginning of the trip we stayed in Lat Krabang, outside of Bangkok city near the airport.  We visited Christ Church Bangkok which was established in 1864 with permission of the King as a place where all could worship.  The beautiful church sits in the middle of the financial district on land that was provided by the government.  We learned about the ministry of the church and that less than 1% of the Thai population is Christian.  We spent one evening at Cornerstone Student Centre teaching two conversational English classes with college students from the Institute of Technology (KMIT).  The Centre is one of the ministries of Christ Church Bangkok. 

Mid-week we traveled two hours southeast of Bangkok to Ban Chang, where we would spend the remainder of our trip.  Our first night there, we participated in a Bible Study at the Bethlehem House Orphanage.  This night an 11-year old boy told a story how the week previously he had been chosen as class leader on the day they were to worship and present gifts to the monks.  While he was honored to be chosen, he did not want to do it because of his Christian beliefs.  He prayed about it and with the help of another student he told the teacher and was allowed to step down as leader that day.  What a testimony of faith when he is one of the very few students in the school who are Christians. 

On Thursday and Friday, we went to the local public school to conduct an English Camp for the middle and high school students.  Prior to the trip I had helped to prepare the curriculum for the 150 kids we were to teach each day.  Upon arriving to the school we learned that there was miscommunication and we were teaching 150 students every 50 minutes!  We quickly changed out plans to accommodate and over the course of the two days taught over 2,000 children.  While we taught outside, without AC and were on our feet for 8 hours each day, this was one of the highlights of the trip.  The kids were so excited to be there and after each class we felt like superstars as all the kids tried to get their photos with the different members of our team.  Both evenings after teaching all day, we participated in bible studies that concluded with large meals prepared by the church members.  On the second night, the message taught by our one team member was about forgiveness.  We felt God had put us in the right place that evening as one gentleman told a story about his current need to forgive someone who had done a great wrong to him. 

On Saturday we spent the whole day at the Orphanage teaching/practicing English and playing games with the nine children who live there.  On Sunday after Sunday School and Church, there was “Sports Day” hosted for 5 local churches.  This was a fun filled afternoon with games for all ages and again a huge meal provided by the church members.  The orphans were also there which gave us another day to spend with them. 

As with the other mission trips I have been on, I feel that I have come home feeling so blessed by the community that I went to help be a witness to.  The hospitality of the Thai people is top notch and even when they don’t have much, they give their best to you.  While Buddhism is engrained in Thailand’s culture, it was amazing to see God’s work in the hearts of the Christians we met. 

On the way home, our team was stranded an extra day in Tokyo as Typhoon Guchol went through Okinawa.  After two long days of travel (and 26 days total in Asian countries) I told Jake that the Kraft box Mac & Cheese was the best thing I had eaten in a long time!  I enjoy eating rice (just not several times a day, every day), so I’ve officially given it up for a while!

Until next time,

Natasha and Jake

Honeymoon - Part II Thailand (June 8, 2012)

On Monday, May 21 we arrived in Bangkok, Thailand.  Our first two nights we stayed at the Lebua Tower, made famous in the Hangover II movie.  What an amazing hotel!  I never wanted to leave!!  We had access to free food and drinks from 6-6 each day and took full advantage of everything the hotel had to offer.  On Wednesday we left Bangkok for 2 days on a private tour to Kanchanaburi – hands down our favorite two days of the whole trip!   First up was the Railway Market – local farmers and fisherman have booths right on the tracks with canopies overhead to keep products fresh.  With a 5 minute warning bell, all vendors move all things off the tracks, hold up their canopies and stand very still as a commuter train rolls in inches from where we stood bringing new customers (this happens five times a day).  Within a minute of the train going past all booths are ready to sell again. Amazing!

After the Railway Market we headed to a Floating market, where we boarded a boat and shopped along canals with other customers and vendors.  We enjoyed yummy mini coconut pancakes and Jake drank from his first coconut.  We left the floating market via the Coconut Sugar Plant, where we were able to taste the sap and have our turn at making cookies.  We had lunch on the River Kwai and then headed to the Tiger Temple.  We each had a chance to touch and walk a tiger.  We got tons of photos and had a blast watching them exercise in the water. We then headed to Hellfire Pass – and learned the history of how the Japanese forced the POW to cut through mountains to build a rail line during WWII where about half of the laborers lost their lives due to harsh conditions. 

We then traveled to Sai Yok Yai National Park, where we hiked with our overnight packs and boarded a wooden raft along with several other groups.  The raft was pulled by a smaller boat with a big car engine that took us to a waterfall.  We had a chance to stand under it and get photos.  Then our guide told us we could jump off the raft and swim down river to the Raft House.  About 30 minutes swim downstream (we were wearing life vests) we arrived at our accommodations for the evening.  We were quite surprised at how nice it was for a Raft House!  We enjoyed fresh fruit that our guide had picked up at the railway market, had Thai Massages, ate dinner and relaxed for the evening. 

Day two of our private tour, we traveled by boat to a Hot Spring where we changed into traditional Thai bathing suits and relaxed in seven springs of different temperatures and one had tea and one had herbs in it.  We also did Dr. Fish, where tiny fish eat the dry skin off of your feet – I could not stop giggling!  We had lunch at Nam Tok Rail Station, the current last stop of the original railway.  Then off to see the Elephants!  We stopped along a roadside stand and bought bunches and bunches of bananas for 15 Baht (about $0.50) and had a chance to feed them to several elephants.  Then our guide asked if I wanted to hug the elephant trunk and little did I know that the elephant was going to wrap the trunk around me and pick me up over its head!  I squealed as Jake took photos!  We took a bamboo raft ride down a scenic river and at the end hopped in the back of a pickup truck to return to the elephant farm.  (This reminded of me of all the rides we took as kids in the back of pickup trucks) After an elephant ride, we took turns bathing the elephant who kept going under the water and upon command “Pa Soong” the elephant would raise its trunk and spray us. 

 

We then visited the Bridge over the River Kwai, did a little shopping, visited a war cemetery and then headed back to Bangkok.  Several times on the trip our driver was pulled over to verify his credentials – our guide explained that many people try to come from Burma to make money in Thailand and the road check points are to enforce restrictions on those in the country illegally.  Throughout our trip, our guide took extra care to make sure we tried the best local foods and fruits we had never seen/heard of before. 

“Bangkok Has Us Now” – back to the sometimes scary, impossible to cross the street city where people are constantly trying to sell you something and scam you if they can.  We spent Friday touring all the major tourist attractions in the city, the Grand Palace, What Po and Flower Market are the highlights. Saturday we took the skytrain to Jak to Jak weekend market.  I can’t even begin to explain how huge this market is but to say that after 6 hours straight of shopping we think we may have only seen about one quarter of it!  We learned how to ask “how much” and say “too expensive” in Thai which surprised many vendors who then allowed us to bargain better prices for our items. 

Sunday we left for our final four days of our trip in Phuket.  After being on the go our whole trip and being out of bed most mornings by 5am, we decided it was time to relax!  Our hotel knew we were on honeymoon: gave us an upgraded room, a fruit basket and had the bed decorated with rose petals and swan towel art.  We spent two days relaxing on the beach, Jake tried surfing, and we had two couple massages with coconut oil.  We spent one day on a boat tour to James Bond Island and kayaked in through caves and lagoons.  The highlight of Phuket was seeing our good friends from South Africa that we had met in China.  They were in a neighboring town and we had the pleasure of spending one of our evenings with them, getting home late in the morning after 6 hours of visiting with each other. 

We are so blessed to have such an amazing trip where all flight connections were met, no lost luggage, experiences and adventures galore, tigers & elephants and the list goes on (I was tired of fried rice every day for breakfast for two weeks, but hey this is trivial).  As many of you know our perfect trip ended not so perfectly.  We left our hotel around midnight, flight left Phuket for Shanghai around 3:30am.  Upon arriving in Shanghai we were both hungry and stopped at Burger King for breakfast – even though only burgers were served.  Shortly thereafter Jake started not feeling well.  Once we reached safe flying altitude, Jake headed for the back of the plane where I did not see him until we landed in Okinawa.  He was the last person off the plane and could barely walk into customs.  We were the last people through customs after several more times of being sick, sick on the car ride home and begged me to take him to the ER once we got home.  Our phone was dead, so I decided to drive him there myself even though I don’t have a license.  As we arrived at the Navy base, the guards asked me for my license, Jake had a trash can on his lap and I explained how sick he was and that I’m trying to get him to the ER. Thankfully they didn’t push the need to see a license and allowed us to pass through the gate!  After two bags of fluids Jake finally starts to look a little better, then I start feeling sick as well.  Diagnosis:  Food Poisoning!  They gave us meds and sent us home with orders to rest and drink plenty of fluids.  It took several days for Jake to get back to his normal self.  We want to thank everyone for your prayers and emails during this time. 

I apologize for the long blog but we had such a great trip and wanted to share as many details as we could without boring you too much!  I have posted additional photos on Facebook, but below are highlights.  I leave Sunday, June 10^th for Thailand for a mission trip, and ask for prayers for our team. 

Until next time,

Natasha and Jake