Kokusai Street

Kokusai Street... You can shop 'til you drop here... literally. And it's not just a street... as in one street. There's the main street, sure, but then there are all these sort of alleys that branch out in all directions. If you're directionally challenged, take your GPS 'cause you can easily get turned around in this labyrinth of shops. Oh, and take your wallet. With money in it. A lot of money. Or a credit card, if you're into that sort of thing. It kinda reminds me of a cross between the 16th Street Mall in Denver and Pike Place Market in Seattle... except... really, it's not like either of those places...


We started off at Starbucks, 'cause... well... it's Starbucks. I know you can go to Starbucks any ol' time, but I try to make it a policy to go whenever I see one. There's for sure a clean potty and a refreshing beverage awaiting.




The sweetest barista ever treated Noah to a complimentary chocolate milk. Good to the last drop and so refreshing for my sweaty little guy. Devin had a delicious bitter dark chocolate frappuccino thing, and I chose a Matcha/Green Tea frappuccino which was my favorite shade of green and quite tasty.



Emerie is pumped and ready to shop!


A pig in a Ryukyu red lotus hat... of course.


There's so much to see here, I doubt if you could cover all the real estate in just one day. There's the Starbucks, of course, and the McDonald's... of course. Then there's a great Birkenstock shop that I'd like to get back to, an awesome Coach outlet, and several other recognizable stores. But when you venture off into the covered alley ways, there's oh so much more. Bingata, Ryukyu glassware and laquerware, my favorite sugar cane dyed fabrics, smelly foods, unrecognizable eats, fresh fruits, sundresses, t-shirts... you name it, it's here. Everything from tacky souvenirs and stuff that looks like it's from someone's yard sale... to beautiful handcrafted textiles and Okinawan crafts.


Pineapple everywhere! And passion fruit, mangoes, bananas...



If it has Snoopy on it, I'm a sucker for it. 200 yen for this trinket...


Noah digs for his treasure... It was a tiny china plate with Snoopy and Woodstock on it. Hilarious! Sorry, no picture...


And of course I loved these little Snoopy dressed as Eisa dancer figurines... The Okinawans love Snoopy! He's everywhere!



A cute little shisa with chopsticks...

A blurry photo of one of my new favorite shops with bright, colorful textiles, wall hangings, and purses... loved it!


McDonald's are plentiful.


As are beniimo treats... I had to get Devin to pose with this beniimo tarte. They're pretty tasty, but I prefer the ice cream.


And then I zoomed in and realized there was this guy behind Devin. Love it.


Emerie's exhausted.


I'm sure this was our first of many visits to the colorful Kokusai Street.


Last stop... lunch.

Tempting as it sounded, I did not choose the "Ishigaki Beef Guts Set." I went for bibimbap instead. Pretty tasty... and never pass up on gyoza.

Lost in Translation

Some things just don't translate well. Here are a few favorite examples...


OK... it's kind of hard to read, but the middle section says, "Gargle... Not for Drinking." What?!? If it's water not safe for drinking, I sure don't want to put it in my mouth to gargle with it. Or is it a mouthwash water fountain? I'm just not sure about this one...



If you can figure this one out, let me know...




Ummm... OK...




Got it.


I love that this gum is gentle. I look for that in a gum... as well as chewy-ness... I think a good gum oughta be chewy.




I ate the cake that came in this box. It was indeed fresh and sweet, but fashionable?




Huh?


Pardon?



Excuse me?



Say again?





I thought this was the loveliest lovely little lovely shirt! Lovely!!!



Can't read this one, can ya? This is a sign posted at one of the area beaches. I hope you can zoom in on this and check it out, but if not, here are a couple of my favorites:

"All accidents and accidents, etc. in facilities that originate in the blame of the self become user's responsibility."

and

"Do not disarrange the discipline order, and do not do the act of troubling others." (I think I'll start saying that to Noah and Emerie when they're acting up!"




I love some sushi! But tell me, why on earth would I want sushi from Los Angeles when I'm right here in JAPAN!?!?!? This is not a selling point for me. But it is funny.




This one seems clear enough.



This one says, "If play of the sightseeing got tired, please come to SEGA!" Um... wha?

I could go on and on... I love this stuff!!! And, lest anyone think I'm making fun of Japanese language or the Okinawan people, believe me, I'm not. It can be just as hilarious when translating from English. Just ask my sweet Korean friend for whom Devin tried to translate a Bible verse. Philippians 3:10 had never been so amusing!

Beach Babies

Just Another Day (or two) at the Beach

Playing in the sand on the beach at Kadena Marina one evening...






My Sweetie and me... enjoying watching our kids playing and this beautiful sunset.





Another evening out... this time at Araha Beach...






I love mountains most of all, but I think I can get used to this island living!

Okinawa Children's Zoo and Wonder Museum

It's been a couple of months ago now... but the kids and I and some friends visited the Okinawa Children's Zoo. As zoos go, it wasn't the best... frankly, it was a bit depressing. However, in true Okinawa fashion, there was a flower festival going on. We enjoyed the day, the nice weather, and the gorgeous landscaping.


I loved this... thing... Some kind of watering system in the form of what I guess is a shisa.

2011 - The Year of the Rabbit.