Today was a good day of spending time with a group of folks that I didn't know. The week I moved into my apt., I came outside, on my way to work and met a lady (Alice)on her morning walk. I said hello and we struck up a conversation. Even though I was in a hurry to get to work ( I welcomed the friendly neighbor) because if I don't leave by 7:30, the traffic is maddening. She shared that her husband is a teacher on the island and she stays at home. This was there 2nd time living here. They were here years ago when the area that we live in now was just sugar cane fields.



Today, I called her to see if she knew where the farmers market. She didn't know. She was in a rush to meet some friends so our conversation was short. She called me right back and invited me to join them. They were showing the new superintendent of the school system in Asia around the area. She had only been here for 6 weeks and Alice thought it would be a perfect opportunity for me to see the area we live in and meet some people.




It was a good day of touring the area and discovering a part of Okinawa that I had never saw. I also was able to be introduced to some short cuts to the different bases. I have longed for short cuts because the traffic on route six is congested and full of lights, not to mention how slow folks drive. The speed limit is about 30-40 kilometers. That is slower than our 30-40 mph so imagine how crazy that makes me. Those of you who know me, know I like to drive pretty fast so I'm having a hard time. :-)



We got a chance to visit sites where they make salt, a cookie store that makes cookies on site, pottery shops as well as other interesting areas. All very close to where I live so I'm sure I will go back.


We ate at a cute little restaurant and the food was oh so good! It was a soup, I can't remember the name of it but it had pork and noodles in a broth. It was my first traditional Okinawan meal. I won't count the fast food Japanese restaurants (hoto motto and the curry house) that I've tried, which I must say are very good. I actually went to the Garlic House last night for dinner. It was the best tasting food I've had in a long time. Not sure if it is a traditional place or westernized but thumbs up on the food. The restaurant today offered some of the more traditional foods. It was served with a side of rice. I thought that was interesting, rice with a noodle dish but I think that rice is just a given with most meals, regardless of what you order. I have to get used to being served 2 starches in one meal. I'm putting my chopsticks into practice. I did pretty good eating rice with them. I'm usually pretty good at it if the food that I pick up is big (sushi). Rice is more of a challenge but I managed.




The group, all from the states were very welcoming and friendly and promised to include me on their next adventure. I'm looking forward to it. Enjoy the pictures of the sites and the new friends that I met.