Return to Japan - Weeks 1 & 2 (March 29, 2012)

It is hard to believe that I today is two weeks since my return to Okinawa.  It seems like yesterday that I was home visiting with all of you.  My five weeks in the states flew by so quickly, but I was able to spend quality time with so many friends and family members and take care of some business too.  On Wednesday, March 14th I flew on a commercial flight from HBG to Seattle arriving around midnight, I checked in at the AMC and USO offices.  Staying awake in the airport overnight is the hardest part, waiting and waiting to find out if you make it on the Space A flight.  Roll call was at 5:30 am, at which time we were all told that there was room for the 22 of us go - but if anyone else showed up that was on duty we could be bumped.  I was #15 in line (based on rank & reasons for travel there are categories to determine the order for Space A travelers).  They allowed the first 11 to go ahead and the rest of us were told to wait.  We saw others on duty checking in and knew that some of us would get bumped.  They came back and said only the next 3 in line made it on the flight - 12, 13, and 14.  Luckily for me #13 was a no show which meant I got that person's seat and was the last one chosen to be on the flight.  Jake and I were so happy that we didn't have to rush to make alternative plans and that soon I would be on my way.  38 hours later (51 if you count time zone changes) and in desperate need of a shower I was back in Okinawa!  

The first week back was pretty uneventful.  We spent most of the time getting back into our normal routines, especially since Jake had recently returned from Korea as well.  During my time in the US, I had become accustomed to being able to drive everywhere and had to readjust to my pedestrian life style here.  I forgot how tiring it can be to walk 3 miles to get groceries - especially on the way home carrying them up hill to our place!  Jake and I are also focusing on our training for the Great Wall Half Marathon in May and have been spending time most days preparing for that goal. Several days a week, in addition to our running, we have been doing stairs - endurance rounds at Stairway to Heaven and speed work at another location. In the two weeks since I have been back I have logged 33 miles walking/running, 45 miles on my bike and 5760 stair steps.  Some days I have to take naps due to physical exhaustion, but my younger, in-better-shape, Marine husband doesn't miss a beat!

Week two brought us to Kadena Air Force base where we are dog sitting for friends.  Life with a dog has been a huge adjustment for me!  Being on base is a nice change and we have made friends with some of the neighbors and their children.  This week I also started taking Japanese II Language class.  I realized how much I forgot from the first class and from my time home in the states when I wasn't speaking it.  I really enjoy the class and our Sensei is a real gem!  She teaches us so much about the culture as she teaches us the language.  The weather this week has been beautiful with spring like temperatures, warm sun and cool breezes.  We are hoping to go out this weekend to explore some new places.  We are sure to have some adventures to share with you next week.   

Until then,

Yoi ichi nichi o!

Natasha and Jake

Return to Japan - Week 3 (April 6, 2012)

Life in Okinawa is always an adventure!  Last Saturday morning we got up early to go for our long run along the flight line on Kadena Air Force Base, where we were staying while dog sitting.  As we start out, we notice the gray clouds ahead and know that if we don't hurry, we are going to get stuck running in the rain.  At about mile three, the rain gently starts and then all of the sudden the sky opens up and we are running in major rain.  As we are heading back a car stops and asks if we want a ride back - I really want to say YES, but we keep running.  If I had known what was ahead we might have gotten in the car.  As we round the flight line there are no trees or brush to block the wind and the rain is coming at us in sheets.  I'm freezing cold as the wind and rain whip against me and I start to whimper - yes whimper!  Poor Jake - he is a wonderful husband who supports me and doesn't make fun when I'm about to crack!  We finally make it home and head straight for showers to get warm and then Jake makes all things right by taking me to Popeyes for a breakfast biscuit!  YUM.  Later in the day the rain stops and we decide to get in the car and see what we can find.  We end up on Zampa Beach and walk around with Jodi (the dog we are watching).  Across the street there is a park that has a giant Shi-Shi Dog - I'm guessing at least 30-40 feet high.  Jake runs Jodi all over the beach and the park until we are all exhausted.  

Sunday was perfectly beautiful, so after church we pack a lunch and head out on our next Adventure to Ikei Island.  For the first time on the island we did NOT get lost on our way - we did however not drive on the roads we had looked at on the map before leaving, but we ended up there without turning around.  There is a long bridge that you have to drive across to get to the island and once across the bridge we find another bridge that leads to a smaller island - Hamahiga.  We go right after crossing the bridge and within a half mile the road dead-ends with a parking lot and the most fabulous beach across from it.  Jake can barely hold Jodi's leash as she heads straight for the water for a swim.  I tell Jake I want to spend all summer on Hamahiga and enjoy the water as it caresses the white sand beach.  While here a person asks us if we know where the cave on the island is, but we don't because we had not done any research about this island since it wasn't our original plan to visit here.  We depart to see what is on the other side of this small island and within a mile or two we are at another dead-end.  We see a small pathway and decide to explore.  Much to our delight we come across a private beach area and spend more time walking on the beach and climbing on the rock structures. As we leave the beach Jake spots the cave up on top of a big hill.  We can't pass this up and find ourselves climbing up to the cave.  We pass a Shrine and then into the cave.  It was about 20 feet deep and maybe 8-10 feet across - with plenty of stalactites and stalagmites.  At the entrance and the back of the cave there is salt in three conical piles (called Mori-shio) to purify visitors as they pass to ward off evil and pacify the spirits (kami).  See links below to our video inside the cave.  We don't stay long b/c I'm kind of freaked out in the darkness of the cave.  

View inside the cave and View from the cave

We finally are on our way to Ikei Island.  Our drive through sugar cane fields leads us to native ruins of Nakabura Vestige.  Jake and I crawl into the one hut-like home that is there to see what it is like where they lived and read all the plaques about life there.  We also find a go-cart track along the road with a race event and stay to see the fun of the cars on the track racing each other.  On the way back to the main island of Okinawa there is low tide and cars line the bridge as everyone gets out and walks on the sand where the water once was.  We decide to join the crowd and as the sun is setting take another stroll on the ocean floor.  Until next week. Natasha and Jake

Return to Japan Week 4 (April 13, 2012)

This past Saturday, Jake and I spent the afternoon exploring Toguchi Beach Park in Yomitan.  At low tide you can walk out really far on the beach floor, maybe several hundred yards at some places.  The park was full of people exploring and looking for treasures on the beach floor.  The rock structures are maybe 15-20 feet high.  Like most parks on the island, there are numerous trails to explore and shrines dot the landscape.  We were able to walk under the rock structures and into caves.  After our adventures exploring we spent the evening at a Luau, hosted by our friends who we were dog sitting for during their trip to Hawaii.  My favorite part of the evening (besides the traditional Hawaiian food!) was seeing the neighbor girl in her Hawaiian grass skirt and coconut top.

Sunday, after a moving Easter service at church, we headed to Comprehensive Park for the church picnic.  The park encompasses several hundred acres full of every sport field imaginable, a lake, swimming facilities, several sports domes (like Hershey Park arena/stadium), hiking and jogging trails and so much more.  Jake and I helped hide Easter eggs for all the kids and Jake enjoyed kicking the soccer ball with our Pastor's son.  

This week I started volunteering at the United Service Organizations commonly referred to here as the USO.  I am volunteering at the USO on Futenma Air Station, which is about 35 minute walk from our place.  On Wednesday evening I helped serve dinner to 68 marines for Free Movie and Dinner night and Friday morning I helped prepare over 200 pancakes and sausages for a unit breakfast.   It was tough getting up at 4:30am, but rewarding to be helping and serving others.  Thankfully my wonderful husband also got up early and drove me there so I wouldn't have to walk.  

I thought it would be fun to teach you a little Japanese each week.  It helps me practice too!  "I" in Japanese is pronounced "E".  Most of you know Konnichicwa - which means "good afternoon".  "Good Morning" is Ohayo Gozaimasu.  "Good evening" is Kombanwa.

Until next week.

Natasha and Jake