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Up and Running?
Isn't it
interesting that anyone can have a website these days? Hopefully this
one will not bore you and will keep you up-to-date with what we Latiri's
are up to in Japan.
Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
Here in Okinawa
there are tons of Americans so it is easy to forget that one is in a
foreign country with all the Burger Kings and “American” lifestyle that
surrounds you. That is until you gather up your courage and venture off
base. Then people whom dress in pants and long sleeve shirts in the hot
sun surround you – because to have a tan means that you work outside and
is not desirable – and speak a totally different language than you’ve
ever heard in your life –Kill Bill and Karate Kid aside. The world
changes on you and now you are an outsider.
There is a place near Kadena AB that is called
“America Village” or “American Town” – I can not remember which – that
many of the Americans go to. There is a Japanese Mall – called Jusco –
and many shops, restaurants and arcades. A lot of arcades! In the short
trip 0.5 km from base to this place, there are at least two arcades.
That will be another article. Omar and I went here last Sunday to try
out a new restaurant – something we have not done since our sushi
incident when we first got here - again, that is another article. As we
were walking around the three blocks of stores – in the sweltering heat
with the sun beating down on us and the buildings blocking any wind that
would blow in from the East China Sea which was only two blocks west of
us – not only are most of these “fast food” places are noodle places,
but some of the food was…well, let us say interesting looking. After
looking at the picture menu for a Thai restaurant, Omar and I came to a
compromise – he wanted A&W and I wanted sushi so we got Pannini’s at a
little café. It was nice and I could tell that many Americans frequented
the place because the young woman behind the counter seemed to
understand a little English. Nevertheless, it also made me wonder if the
Okinawan’s thought we were arrogant for not know Japanese and ordering
in their language – after all it is their country.
The next day I pondered further on this subject when
Omar and I went out for sushi off base. This place was off the main road
and the clientele seems to be mostly Japanese but the people at my work
speak highly of it. After letting the waiter know how many were in our
party – in English, ordering our food – in English, and getting the
check – well, that was in Japanese but we asked for it in English. I
decided then and there that I have to learn Japanese. Even if it is bad
Japanese I have to try, I feel so rude not knowing their language. Some
Americans get upset when people do not know English and I do not want to
offend these nice people – and they are nice.
I have three weeks until my next adventure with Omar
off base, until then I set the task of learning how to say the following
in Japanese:
Good Evening
There are two of us.
We would like
to order (1, 2, 3, 4) of ______________.
May we have some more water?
And
May we have the check please?
I already know how to say Thank You.
Posted by
Heather at 9:30am
July 21, 2004
Living in a Bubble?
Back at the
University of Montevallo we used
to say that we lived in a bubble and
we didn’t keep up with the outside
world. For five years everything
that was the world was Montevallo,
full of drama, drama and more drama.
Then graduation came and some of us
moved on to the “real world” the
world outside of Montevallo.
When I moved on I learned more about
what was going on throughout the
world, that is the earth, and got
away from the feeling that all that
was life was this small town with my
classes and small group of friends.
I had the sense that I belonged to
something bigger; somehow, my small
deeds would affect the greater
picture. Whether it was volunteering
at a church fundraiser or bring part
of a growing children’s theatre that
exposed children to the magic of
theatre, music and dance at a young
age shaping them and building the
artists and patrons of tomorrow, I
was a part of something that did not
revolve around me – or “drama.”
All that to say I am back inside a
bubble. It’s not like Montevallo
where there was drama galore, but it
is a world onto its own. There are
terms that unless you read “Married
to the Military,” you would
think is it another language, where
when asked for your social security
number they mean your husbands not
yours, where democrats are rare and
where there are very few theatre
people or intellectuals (aka writers
and musicians). It takes some
getting used to and after seven
months, I am proud to say I am used
to it, kind of.
The past week has been interesting
to say the least. After a bout of
bad
weather, the island has seen
only sunny blue skies and highs in
the low-90s. It is interesting
because it all looks so fake - like
the Truman Show or something. From
the vividness of the green in the
trees and grass to the whitish
buildings, the blue-blue sky and the
sparkling ocean we are surrounded by
beauty. This is a beautiful bubble
full of hard-working people serving
their country in a far away place.
Far from friends and family, far
from the Barnes and Nobles where one
would sit and sip coffee while
reading a book of poetry and far
from volunteering at the Kennedy
Center and seeing a free theatre
production.
Our bubble is expanding though.
After a month we found that theatre
folks are here, and if you can
believe this, they are Marines. That
is right most of the theatre board
are Marines, or Marine spouses. We
even perform on the Marine base and
the Marine base has the bigger fully
stocked library complete with a
section of music books. Now there is
a large group of
DODDS teachers as well, but most
people are in some way attached to
the Marines – Omar and I seem to be
the only Air Force theatre people.
In addition, since taking this job
with
UMUC Asia, I have noticed that
there are a number of intellectuals,
who speak English, here. There are
seminars and classes on Shakespeare.
There are poetry readings too. So
while we both still miss our friends
from back home, we do have a couple
of great friends here and will
continue to grow our bubble to
include others and who knows maybe
the bubble will pop.
Posted by
Heather at 1:30pm
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