17.7.10
I am on my 4th day in Okinawa. Tokashiki is laid back squared. I have difficulty communicating as I do not speak Japanese but the people are very patient and willing to meet you half way on communicating. If I were to learn Japanese, it would be heer. The people are friendly and patient enough for me to make mistakes. The challenge would be to be disciplined enough to study. I am fortunate Yoriko is Japanese.
And yesterday our friend Yuki joined us. We spent the whole day at the beach. I am becoming brown again--just hope for no burning or skin cancer.
Yesterday, I had Okinawan kakigori (shaved ice). It was like a snow cone but with sweet red beans (Asian preference), sweetened condensed milk, coconut, kinako (soy bean flour) and ube (a purple yam). Sweet and cool for hot, humid Okinawa.
I have been eating sashimi every day here. Yum yum.
There are mosquitoes here but they concentrate in the heavy vegetation. But interestingly, flies do not seem to be a problem, and while it is steamy and hot, I have yet to see a cockroach or rodent. Lucky Okinawans.
19.7.10
7:30 Wake
Storm
Breakfast
Pack
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Lunch
Nap. I don’t feel well
4:30 to Ferry Naha.
We woke up to a stormy day. Just as well, as I feel lethargic and feverish.
I had got sunstroke in Okinawa. I felt feverish, tired and had a headache. I spent a good part of an afternoon on a tatami in a room sleeping. I think it is because I didn’t hydrate enough and not enough protection from the sun (sunblock and clothing). It would not feel better until I got to Kuwana city, at Yoriko’s parents’ home, where I could rest and get better.
Wake
Breakfast
Shurijo Castle
Noodle Palace
Market
Airport
Arrive in Nagoya.
Before the Japanese took over Okinawa in the 17th century, it was an independent kingdom of Ryukyu, which owed its allegiance to the emperor of China. Shurijo castle’s vermillion color is indicative of the Chinese influence. The Ryukyu Kingdom was a commercial transit center in East Asia: between China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
Japan, land of politeness, wrapped gifts, and automated toilets.
There are the surface aspects of a culture, which are evident to an observant outsider, who can appreciate, dislike or fail to understand cultural norms (like the giving of wrapped gifts when visiting a home). Then there are the experiential aspects to a culture which are understood by being in the culture and living in it (like the taking of an evening bath). It is in the doing that one understands. Finally there are the subtle, more profound aspects to culture that are subject critical analysis (like the hierarchical structure of Japan and other Asian cultures). They are the aspects of a culture which can enhance and bring life to one person but may be constricting and oppressive to another. This analysis comes only from someone who lives and understands the culture.
Rest due to sunstroke
Dinner
Osento: Spa Land
22.7.10
Train to Ise
Lunch with Hoo Ja and Kim San
Jinju shrine
Train to Kuwana
Yuka’s for dinner
23.7.10
Bus to Airport
Arrive Narita
Arrive Incheon
Arrive Dormitory in Seoul.
Some airports have restaurants and shops even after you enter through security: San Francisco. Some airports have convenience food stalls and a few shops after security: Narita. And some airports have nothing after you enter the security gate: Bangkok.
