I skipped rocks on Christmas Eve

Host family went to Okinawa and surrounding islands from December 22 to 25. Got back late on the 25 but in time to open presents and eat Christmas cake. We hit three different islands in our time there, Okinawa, Miyakojima, and Iwabujima. I think I found out that these were concrete plans on December 20th...family moves quick and its sometimes inconvenient but I can't say no because their plans have always been amazing.

Going to Okinawa we took the Pikachu jet...every surface was covered in Pokemon. Seats, cabin, exterior. My little brother wanted to fly it so the family lined up the times for the Pikachu jet. Japanese local flights are easy. It's scary how efficient even an airport can run here. We arrived maybe 25 minutes before the flight, got through security and to the gate in about 10 minutes. Flew through security, took are ticket that cleared us for boarding, and hopped on. One thing that was not efficient was that we were flying a 747 for 2 hours on a domestic flight that was probably only 20% full. Didnt understand that one.

Only spend one day on Okinawa before heading to Miyakojima for a Christmas benefit concert by one of host mother's friends. Naha is the largest city on Okinawa and the American influence is tremendous. There are around 30,000 Americans stationed on the base there and I saw more A&W shops in Naha than in one place in America. Many, many types of American goods lined the shelves of stores and the base actually functioned at its own import organ. Japanese could go on the base with escort to pick up various American goods. It had an odd feel to it, being so American. There was definitely some resentment; we got a whirlwind tour of the island by another of host mom's contacts (host mom is like the mayor of japan) and she didn't like the idea of hte base and had some not nice things to say that she thought the American couldn't understand.

That night we went to a recommended spot for a negi and pork nabe. Special pork on Okinawa. There was also a ridiculous market nearby that sold every kind of good imaginable. The fish section was massive and had everything from whole conch to skinned blowfish. When we bought some raw fish I was surprised, since we were traveling, but we took it to the restaurant upstairs and they prepared it in about 4 different ways. Super fresh sashimi...best I ever tasted, a grilled giant lobster, lobster nabe, some other kind of grilled dish...way to much food. Food adventures as always, on food blog. Video is of host father and mother at an Okinawan live music bar/restaurant. This was our fourth meal that day.

Went to a traditional castle on Okinawa as well. I'm not into ancient history of the Ryuukyuu kingdom so I don't have much to say.

The highlight of the trip was Christmas eve. We hopped a boat from Miyakojima (small island off Okinawa) to Iwabujimi...even smaller. To get some views of the ocean and a small fishing village. The water was a beautiful blue, like hawaiian or Mediterranean clear. Air temp was about 70 degrees and water did not vary much. Sitting on this boat, I couldn't believe how it was Christmas Eve and I am in this tropical Japanese land. A literal 180 from where I was last year and where I will be next year. As I was thinking that, my mom called my cell phone from skype which was pretty remarkable.

On the island we went to a few amazing beach views and walked around the shore for a bit. The trip was actually a recommendation by a taxi driver the night before and I think we were all glad he recommended the place. I showed my little brother how to skip rocks. He can get on your nerves sometimes, but that is what little brothers are for I guess. This island had some of the craziest rock formation by the shore. Most of the island is limestone and over hundreds of years these rocks have been eaten away by the seawater. Because of that, two spots of the island actually collapsed, forming two saltwater lakes, deep blue, that divers love because of their connection to the sea.

Christmas concert was nice. Nothing special. Mostly the singer's own music with a few Christmas songs thrown in. It served as a good way to measure my progress because when I first got here, we went to one of her shows and I understood nothing. I was able to catch phrases from the songs now, and when she was speaking was able to pick up nearly all of it.

The last night we went out to a beach where it was pitch black and clear and saw more stars than ever before. Actually was able to participate in a talk with the fam about views on afterlife and aliens while gazing at the stars. I enjoyed that. It was Merry, although different Christmas.

Merry late Christmas...what a trip.

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