So this weekend was our no cash weekend (as far as recreation goes) so we decided to go to Taguchi Beach since Lori had taken us before and we knew that it would lead to really good pictures.
We planned to go right after lunch but the weather changed our plans. We were going to get some bentos (lunch) at Kanehede (a grocery store) but since it was raining we decided to go to Jusco (a mall) and get lunch and walk around until the rain went away. I had rice with sliced pork on top (it was yummy) with seaweed soup on the side (also yummy). For desert we got ice cream out of a vending machine.
By the time we ate and walked around the mall, most of the rain clouds were gone so we decided to go to the beach. We walked up to a cliff area above the beach (me with some apprehension after seeing signs warning that there were snakes) and Mike took some pictures.
He went a little further down the cliff but I decided to stay further up where there were more rocks to stand on and not so many bushes (I don't EVER want to come in contact with a habu snake).
We walked down from that area towards the tide pools. We saw this tree clinging to the rocks on the way there.
It started raining again so we put the camera underneath the rocky area and stood in the rain for a picture! Luckily it didn't rain for long!
See...no rain now! Behind us are some tide pools but since the tide was coming in, we didn't see much.
More photo ops :)
Off to explore! I found a few hermit crabs and a normal crab that had just molted. Nothing too interesting unfortunately.
Two of the hermit crabs I found.
These kids were jumping off the cliff that we had stood on earlier! Scary!!
Going to the beach was a nice ending to a relaxing weekend. I have the next 2 weeks of school already planned so maybe we will do some exploring during this next week :)
Taguchi Beach
Obon and Okinawa World
Last night we were invited to the last day of Obon at Isau-san's (my grandma's brother) house. His grandson Mizuki (who is in first grade) actually invited us because he wanted us to go to the tug-of-war that is held in front of the village center. We weren't really sure what it was (it wasn't quite translated as tug-of-war) but we were excited to have another chance to visit with them.
We got there and got to see the traditions for the last day of Obon and got to enjoy a good meal. I learned that tuna sushi is quite yummy! I told Ojisan (uncle) that it was much better than canned tuna and he thought that was pretty funny. As we were finishing dinner we heard what sounded like people clanging pots and pans. Ojisan said that the tug-of-war would be starting at 8.
We got through dinner and began dessert (mixed fruit with mochi balls) when they started walking through the streets trying to get everyones attention. They had young men in camoflauge walking through the streets holding a HUGE rope. We followed them to a big grassy area where we saw another group of men with another rope --making it extremely long! We waited for a while (for what we aren't sure) and then they finally "began". They didn't actually begin tugging but some taunting between the two groups. They picked up the ropes and would walk towards each other and shake it around. Finally they connected the ropes and the tug-of-war started...and ended in no time. I guess they had to add a lot of stuff in so it is more momentous. They did this twice that night as well as some dancing, drum playing, and running back and forth.
While there we somehow grabbed the attention of a news reporter (ok...I think it was probably because we were the ONLY white people there...I'm white enough to stand out in a crowd) who asked us to stay afterwards so he could interview us. He knew enough English to talk to us but did use Ojisan to help translate. He basically asked us what we thought of the show and whether we would join in next year- to which I pointed to my flip flops and said "Yes, with different shoes maybe" which got a laugh. Hopefully everything will be translated the right way because he asked about where we work and got our names.
It was a fun night and we were invited to call again whenever we want to visit.
Today we got up for another day of sightseeing with Rocky and the other new teachers. We went to Okinawa World and the cave today. Mike and I went last year but wanted to go again to see everything at a relaxed pace.
I'm not sure what this sign says...maybe something about Okinawa World or the cave.
Posing in the hall to the cave (see the Shisa dogs on the wall?)
We didn't see this one last time! I thought it was cute how it was resting on it's tail.
All the way down the slippery stairs (glad I wore my better flip flops!)
These are all glass! You can buy them at Okinawa World.
Something I would never have enough expendable money to buy. Extremely pretty though.
Cute glass Stitch (again very pricy-over $100)
When in Okinawa, do as the Okinawans do (not for the rain but for the sun)
So glad I had the umbrella over my head when I saw this!! It had made its web in the banyan tree. You can't tell from the picture but it was about the size of my hand!!
We got this picture for free with the admission price to the Habu Museum at Okinawa World. I was holding it far away because right before she took the picture it was facing me!
Goodbye Okinawa World!! I am by the female shisa dog and Mike by the male.