Pam Webb

Okinawa! Part Three

Now that I’ve been home for a week and have processed my trip (let alone get my sleep cycle back on track), I’ve been reflecting on how to best answer the usual question of “What was Okinawa like?” Since I did not luxuriate as a tourist in a hotel and stayed with my son and daughter-in-law in their apartment–which is more like a condo compared to American standards–I experienced Okinawa with deeper regard, especially since my son embraces his new life in Okinawa and hopes to stay on for awhile.

Notable Differences

• Driving on left side of road--this I could not get used to at all. For one, I kept trying to get in on the right side of the car which is not the passenger side, but the driver’s side. This continually amused my son. My son is quite adept at navigating turns, traffic, and the tiny streets of Okinawa. I tried not to be the agitated passenger. I do believe I failed that aspiration.

• Dawn–being a Westerner and having grown up around the ocean, watching the sun set on the horizon is never tiring, so watching the sun rise out of the ocean at dawn absolutely caught me by surprise–well, duh–it’s the far east, so of course the sun rises out of the ocean. It was magical, like a giant Georgia peach half levitating itself into the luminescent clouds. Or like watching a sunset in reverse.
• Trash–Okinawa streets and public areas are practically trash free. There are no stray bits of paper skittering along the sidewalk, no plastic bags tangled in the grass, no overflowing garbage bins. The reason is there are no public waste cans. If you have garbage you take it home or deposit it in one of the numerous public restroom receptacles or at one of the many convenience stores. It seems to work well. Okinawa is refreshingly clean and tidy.
• Heated Toilet Seats–it’s true. Even the public restrooms are equipped with this option. Some toilets offer numerous options including music, lights, or a bidet. Returning home to my winter homescape I do miss a warmed seat, especially at 3 a.m.
• Recycling–it’s not an altruistic choice, it’s mandatory. Garbage is sorted into plastics (mainly beverage containers), burnables, aluminum, and glass. Trashbags must be clear and households are fined if sorting is not done correctly. It’s complicated and admirable, too. Oh, the garbage trucks are tiny, about the size of standard Suburban, and rely on workers jumping on and off the truck. These trucks play melodies. At first I thought there was an ice cream truck in the neighborhood.

• PSA–everyday at 5 pm a happy little tune is played and a woman’s pleasant Japanese voice comes on for a few minutes. The message basically reminds all children of the 6 pm curfew, to get off the streets and go home. Amazing, right? How would that work in America?*

*while the curfew message is important, the system is also in place to ensure the public broadcasting system works in case of a PSA is needed (like a certain hostile country launching a “satellite” over Okinawa while I was there. Didn’t see that one in the news, did you?)

• No Tipping–no kidding. Japan is a service-based culture and the idea of receiving extra money for providing what should be their best effort is frowned upon, although I did see a tip jar at the register of one restaurant situated in American City. This is probably to appease the Pavlovian response of American tourists when eating out.
• No Junkers--again, so refreshing. Cars on the road are clean and in excellent condition. No dented, rusted, decrepit vehicles are evident. The cars are also tiny. My little Honda Civic would be considered mid-size, if not large, compared to the autos scurrying about on the roads. The only pickup trucks seen (only one) was owned by a Marine driving on base. My son said some guys ship their trucks over during their tour. It’s pricey, but hey, some guys just need their truck. The narrow roads aren’t very accommodating for large rigs, so good luck with that one, buddy.
• Silver Citizens--it is not unusual to see Okinawa’s elderly still working. I saw them at the airport attaching baggage tags, at the commissary bagging groceries, and walking around on the sidewalks with their cloth shopping bags. No wonder the Japanese are noted for their longevity–the secret is remaining physically active with a purpose.

I can see why my son enjoys living in Okinawa. It’s clean, efficient, with a culture built on respect. I also love the expanse of ocean surrounding the island. A bonus is that I had no asthma issues or tinnitus during my two week stay. I also have an adorable granddaughter living in Okinawa. These are all inducements to move there, yes, I know. I briefly considered the invitation, but I would miss the trees (Okinawa is jungle, green, yet there is nothing like backyard forest with deer, squirrels, birds, and an occasional moose) and driving on the right side (the correct side?) is a must, and understanding the language is essential. Okinawa is definitely a nice place to visit and I am glad my son enjoys living there. I will return someday…