As I write this, out the huge window in front of me I can see the East China Sea. We are here, we're in Okinawa! We flew in from Tokyo on Friday and we've now had 2 days on the island. I don't think it has quite sunk in that I'll be here for 3 years. The island is beautiful, warm and tropical. After seeing pictures online and reading about it for the past year it is surreal to see and do things here. We are so lucky to have a fabulous friend who served as our sponsor until we were assigned one a week before we left. Our good friends and Boots' partner from the school in NC are here. Having people we know showing us around and taking us out to do fun things has been wonderful. I already feel connected to this place through the friends we have here.
Yesterday our sponsor took us out, showed us around and took us to get iphones. I am not much of a technology person, but I already love it! She took us to Sushi Go Round, a restaurant where you sit around plates of sushi that circle around on a conveyor belt and you pick the plates that you want to eat as they go by you. Then our friend took us by her apartment so we could see where we most probably will have to live, in the Kinser Towers. Her place is really nice and I'm glad we were able to see one fixed up and furnished. We really wanted to live off base, but they are making everyone live on right now. I've heard that we might possibly get offered off base, so I'll let you know what happens. Last night we went out with a group of friends to dinner at a fabulous local and authentic Japanese restaurant and then went out in the downtown area of Naha. We had a blast, and I paid for it this morning.
Today everyone went to breakfast at the Rose Garden that was the Japanese version of ihop. It was delish! We just went for the first of many runs here on Oki and it felt great! Our sponsor has invited us over for dinner tonight. Everything is going great! It's a little overwhelming at times, but really really great to finally be here!
4 comments:
Just popping in to say hello! Your site is beautiful, and it is great to hear that you guys are getting good first impressions of your new surroundings.
Glad you made it safely! It sounds like a fun place to be stationed. (And I'm jealous about the sushi - YUM!!)
You made it! :) Okinawa sounds wonderful. I'm so glad the island welcomed you and Boots properly! Here's to friends making the transition worlds easier.
When will they let you move in?
I sounds like Okinawa is fabulous! My uncle is going to be on base there in two weeks I think?! He is not in the Navy or anything, he is a nurse and shaman, and he will be there for 3 months doing an internship on base. Maybe you will see him around! :)
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