Our Okinawa Experience
You know your stationed on Okinawa when...
...your driving down the "wrong side" of the street but your right.
...you jump in  your car and you're ready to go until you realize that you're sitting in the passenger's seat!�
...you  turn on the windshield wipers when you want to make a turn.
...you understand the "three car rule"�when approaching an intersection.
...you call base housing maintenance for your ONE clogged sink drain and FOUR Japanese Nationals show up to fix it.�
...you have to remove your shoes before walking into a hotel lobby or restaurant.
...the people at the local McDonald's bow deeply and say, "Thank you very much!" ...and� mean it!� "Doomo Arigato Gozaimas"� (doh-moh ar-ee-got-oh goh-zi-mas)
...road construction only takes one day and you actually see road workers working!
...you see cars parked anywhere and everywhere including but not limited to sidewalks, blocking a lane of traffic, both side of an already too narrow alley-like street. 
...you see all 3 lanes of a 3 lane highway automatically compress into the available road space to accommodate said parked vehicle virtually blocking one entire lane.
...someone stops in the middle of the street for apparently no other reason than to snap a picture!
...you live in a "mansion" that is only about 600 square feet!�
...you know how much each kilowatt of electricity costs (about 7 Yen or 7 cents) and you take periodic meter readings to ensure you can continue to afford to run air conditioners!� Good thing you only have to cool your� "mansion!"
...the public toilet amounts to a porcelain shrouded hole in the floor!
...some jerk cuts you off in traffic, you honk your horn in protest, and it's YOU that's being rude! (Actually breaking the law!)
...you accidentally bump into someone while walking down a crowded street and THEY profusely apologize to YOU and mean it.� "Gomen Nasai!" (Goh-men Nah-si):� I'm very sorry.�
...you're driving along minding your own business, a Japanese national hits your car, and it's 1/2 your fault just for being there!
Where in the h*** is Okinawa?� Click here for a map!!
This statue of Nogun Sokan is outside of Kadena Marina near Kadena's gate 4.

Nogun Sokan is known as the "Savior of the Ryukyu's," because he brought the purple sweet potato plant to the Ryukyu Islands.  These potatoes hedged against famine and preserved countless lives.

Farming and Fishing continue to be an important part of Okinawan life.
Nogun Sokan Statue '03
Traditional Okinawan Folk Dancing
Family Home Page / Our Okinawa Experience / California Memories / Kids / Isa / Alex / Pets / Mike / Marcey / Links / Photo Album
Family Home Page / Our Okinawa Experience / California Memories / Kids / Isa / Alex / Pets / Mike / Marcey / Links / Photo Album
Boats Anchored at Kadena Marina
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