Military Wife in Okinawa

The Good, The Bad, & the Interesting in Okinawa

Ok, so this isn't meant to be a gripe session.  I just though some of you might be curious about okinawa, and while everyone has their own opinions, I find most of these to be pretty common.  Brace yourself, it's a long one

I'll start with the negative finish up with the golden. 

Things I will NOT miss when we leave:

1.  FEAR OF TSUNAMIS-I have learned to relax, but this is not that big of an island and while driving you are, most of the time, quite near the ocean.  The view is stunning, but I have a phobia.  I'm doing better.  I'm getting there.  I used to adore the ocean-then came the Indonesian tsunami

2.  Typhoons-a big one hit us just last month and it was not fun, and not cool.  Thank God the Japanese build for these things.

3.  Small roads, small parking spaces, small, small, small-Ok, I have a depth perception problem, so it took a while to get used to driving and parking here, which leads me to my next complaint

4.  People park in the middle of the road.-Yes, just anywhere, and often in the worst places

5.  Shopping-Once you get used to going out in town it's a little better, but you people don't realize how much you should appreciate Walmart and Target.  :)  Our exchanges try their hardest to make us happy, but the hours are not the best and they have to rotate what they carry, so often you can't find something you love or need.  Out in town is fun but it gets expensive

6.  Trying to understand the people on base-Yes, I know, I know.  It's their country.  My husband reminded me of this every time I got irritable when we first got here.  BUT, when you're on base and it's military business,and it is hard to get anything done because they don't speak English that well, it's frustrating.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am very shy and sheepish off base, cause I feel I should always speak Japanese out in town.  Now, I understand what the people on base are saying, and I'm much more reasonable.  It was really just a matter of adjusting my ears. 

7.  When it says a family event on base what they really mean is for the local people-I know we need to keep good relations.  Maybe we shouldn't be here at all.  We're in THEIR land.  I know all this, but when my daughter is crying because she got all dressed up and didn't get a single EAster egg out of the kazillions that were put out for children, and they were all gone in 2seconds.  That gets frustrating.  Don't get mad at me.  I'll explore the good of this on the flip side. 

8.  Giant Bats-Okinawa is famous for them, and they love the tree in our back yard-The other night I was jogging and I heard a family (obviously new) who said, "Wow, that doesn't sound like any bird I've ever heard before."  I felt like quoting Indiana Jones by saying, "Those aren't birds sweetheart.  They're giant bats."  They're actually a little cool so maybe I should take them off my list...

9.  It seems like everything is so difficult on base-Of all the places to make things run smoothly, or maybe keep things in one place you'd think overseas would be it.  Nope.  Things are difficult here. 

10.  It's HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT &Humid beyond belief-Summers are unreal.  They just are (count an unbelievable amount of mold on anything set on the counter for any length of time in this one)

11.  This is sort of related to people parking in the middleof theroad, but they pull out in front of you here ALL the time.  I mean it's crazy!  And trust me you DO NOT WANT TO HIT A LOCAL PERSON.  It's pretty much your fault and you have to take money and flowers to the person who you  hit.  (Not that I would know thank goodness)

Now for the Good:

1. When I can relax my tsunami phobia I realize that the views here are STUNNING!!!!!!  And they're everywhere you look.  It's like one of those beach screensavers people put up on their computer.  Sometimes it's so beautiful it takes your breath away. (Also, i don't dive, but Okinawa is one of the top 10 dive spots in the world)

2.  Typhoons may hit us, but the Japanese really, really, know how to build for this stuff and it makes me feel alot safer. 

3.  Everything is small, but at the same time you learn to appreciate all of the space we have back home.

4.  I don't have anything good to say about parking in the middle of the road or pulling out in front of you, so I'll just think of something new: The good looking Japanese guards at the gate.  There you go.  They're so nice, and "most" of them are oh so cute. 

5.  Shopping:  The good side of shopping here is that once you feel comfortable enough to go out in town, and have a little extra money it's so much fun.  People are so nice it's incredible, and they have Hello Kitty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The grocery stores are also fun.  I haven't had anything to eat here that I didn't like. 

6. Ok, now for my unPC irritation at not being able to understand the base employees.  Sometimes it does get frustrating, but like I said, it's their country, and when you stop to realize how intelligent and brave a person would have to be to have a job on a military base where they constantly deal with Americans, and speaking a second language... I couldn't do it.  Also, "most" of them, not all, but most of them are soooooooooooooooooooooooo incredibly nice.  You just wouldn't believe how nice people are here, and what we have to put up with in service back in the states.  Well, service isn't allways that good-they don't put up with that demanding customer, "I want it now" stuff over here, but still they're very respectful and very nice. 

7.  The bases-Things are difficult here, BUT they do try.  We do have alot available to us.  I will admit that, and I am thankful.  It's just whenyou have to get paperwork type things done that it sucks. (and  few other things)

8.  It may be hot during the summer, but the late fall, winter, & spring are oh so devine.  Still humidity, which I can't wait to leave, but wow the temperature is sooooooooooooooooooooooo nice.  So nice. 

9. I mentioned it before, I'll say it again: The People are so nice.  They don't do that abrupt, in your face thing and I LOVE IT!!!!!!  That's how I am in my life and I appreciate it so much in others.  Now, that's not to say that they don't talk down to us or about us, but I can't tell it, so who cares?  :)  Also, they seem to really know how to laugh, enjoy life and their loved ones. 

10.  the flip side of so many people being on the base for family events?  It's so interesting to interact with them, and also there are often orphanages on base.  The military really gets involved with the children and people in need here. It's good to see. 

The intersting:  The bats, the ghosts (a different entry), the signs-I'll post a picture later, but on the way to my husband's base, where he works, there is a sign that says, "Your reckless speeding brings about your death."  I understand what it's saying, but it always reminds me of a sinister fortune cookie.  :) 

So, there you have it.  It's certainly not everything, but I'll explore more in various entries.  It's a gift to be here, and I'll miss many things when we leave.  It's also so amazing to hear my 2yr old yell good afternoon in Japanese at the guard, or say thank you in Japanese.  My daughter knows how,but she is too shy.  :) 

If you made it through the entire entry, have a good one.  ;) 

Interesting points of view

11:10 PM, Aug. 11, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

I think I'd better do a list like this about Morocco, it could be fun. Especially if we compare our lists. *lol* Morocco and Japan are really very, very different.

I'll get back to you about your list but right now it's 3 AM and I'm almost falling asleep at my laptop so I guess I'd better log out and come back tomorrow.

/Mayogi @ http://mayogiathome.blogspot.com/