Faced with a 20 hour flight from Alabama to Okinawa was daunting to say the least...but I have been on long plane rides before. Of course, they were nothing compared to the 12 hour straight flight from Cali to Taiwan. Needless to say, I was more than happy to finally touch down in Naha. Although, at that point my brain wasn't functioning that well. I get my super heavy bags and struggle over to the security guys. I think he took one look at how tired I was and sent me on through without having to open my luggage. What a relief!
It's hard to remember much about the day I landed in my new home. I do remember thinking how citified Okinawa is-with its concrete buildings everywhere. I'll admit, I missed the green tropical landscapes of American Samoa right then. But the closer we got to Yomitan, the more greenery surrounded us. What a relief!!
It has been a big adjustment being in a place that English is not the official language and people drive on the left side of the road. Especially for me because I walk to school and have to cross the road. Which way to look!!
Once I got over, or mostly over, the culture shock, there is so much to the Okinawan culture. Everything from the language, to body language, to food, and to driving is so different. Even the cars here have their own distinct personality.
Since I was late in coming, the school apartments were already full. So I was put in a Japanese apartment close to campus. Basically I get to live like a native. I sleep on a Japanese futon on the floor-which the floor in the bedroom is made up of tatami mats. The kitchen does not have an oven, but a small two burner stove top, with a fish broiler. I also have a shower room that includes the sink and a separate toilet room.
As I write this post, I am interrupted by the sound of Fur Elise. The first time I heard it a few weeks ago, I thought ice cream truck? Nope. Garbage truck! What a headache-the garbage, not the truck. All garbage falls into a specific category here. And recycling is major!! Trash must be sorted and put into the correct trash bags. Cardboard, plastic, cans, burnable trash, non burnable trash, ect...If you don't put them in correct bags, they won't pick up your trash. They slap a note on your bag which you can't read. However, if you leave it out there long enough, they will eventually pick it up. I won't tell you how I know this.
The stores here are pretty awesome-once you get over the fact that you can't read most of the items in there. They have awesome stores we call 100 yen stores. Basically they are like a Dollar store. They have almost everything you can imagine in them, and all for cheap!!
Lastly in this post, I will explain about car buying, as I am in the process of car shopping. For starters, it is super difficult to shop for a car when you don't have one. With that being said, my "car shopping" only occurs when someone can take me. Used cars are super cheap here compared to the states. You can easily get a good used car for anywhere between $2000-$4000. Plus, every car has to go through a two year mandatory JCI inspection. So when looking for a car, you want one with a brand new JCI. That should mean the car has been fixed of all problems.
Car lots aren't like those in the states. There are hundreds of tiny lots everywhere. In fact, they put them in such random places, many times there isn't any place to park and you have to park down the street and walk back. You also don't test drive much either. They park them together like sardines. I also love the names they come up with for their cars-and mostly all English names too! Naked, That's, Life, and Midget are my favorites so far.
