My Okinawa

My friend Leanne just did a post on her Albuquerque, and suggested that I do the same about my Okinawa. I posted a while ago about my experiences going to high school on the island, but this has some new information, so hopefully it won't feel like too much of a repeat. I also urge everyone to make a stop on Okinawa if you ever have the chance, though I realize most people probably never will since if you have the money it takes to go to Oki, you're probably going to go somewhere more well-known. I don't blame you, but if you ever have access to an infinite amount of money and can do anything and go anywhere you want, be sure to add Okinawa to that list and be sure to drop me a line (and maybe a few hundred grand). Also, note: Okinawa is not a city, it's an entire island, but I'm answering these questions as though it is.

*My Okinawa: Diana

*My age: 24

*Occupation: Part-time retail bitch, soon-to-be law student

*I lived here for: A total of 12 years and 8 months (ages 1 through 10 and 14 through 18)

*I lived here because: My dad was in the Air Force and that's where they sent us.

*My neighborhood: When we first lived there we lived in the Zukeran Apartments off-base, then Sybil Manor on-base. The second time we lived in Kadena Circle out Gate 1 off-base, then Jennings on-base.

*My favorite restaurant: My favorite place I'd go with my parents was Capital Steakhouse off-base, a hibachi restaurant. My favorite place to go with my friends was Coco's Curry, food I still get cravings for. There was also a restaurant past the four corners out Gate 2 called Popeye's (not the American fast food chain) that I loved.

*If you go to this restaurant, be sure to order: If you go to Capital Steakhouse, get the potatoes and kobe beef; you'll get the most delicious soup I've ever had in my entire life as an appetizer--I'm not sure what kind it is, but I think it was some kind of potato. At Coco's, I would suggest the chicken katsu with 0-level curry (they vary in spiciness from 0 to 10 and I'm a wimp). At Popeye's, I always ordered the chicken katsu. Mmm...

*My favorite museum: I always liked going to Shurijo Castle, a castle from the 14th century that was destroyed during WWII and reconstructed in the early '90s. People can go through and tour the inside and they have an on-site museum of artifacts and such. It's incredible to see in person.

*Best tourist location: I always liked going to Okuma, a beach resort for those stationed on Okinawa. Go to Expo Park to see a dolphin show (they also have a huge aquarium) or Ryuku Village to watch a mongoose-habu fight (the mongoose always won when I was watching...might seem like a disturbing show for a first grade field trip, but it didn't strike me as weird at the time).

*Best insider spot: Devil's Cove is a nice beach spot to go with friends at night. The seawall is a great place to walk by the water during the day (here is a Flicker photostream that has some great shots of the artwork people put on the seawall).

*My favorite area: I was in high school while I lived here, so I always loved to go to Jusco (great big Japanese mall) and Dragon Palace (greatest arcade ever). The whole area is called American Village since it combines elements of American and Japanese culture. There are American chain restaurants (I don't remember the Starbucks, it might have been put in after I moved), which is actually important to American teenagers living in a foreign country, but there are also tons of great Japanese restaurants, a bunch of cute boutiques, and a karaoke place nearby. Plus, it's all beach adjacent.

*Best place to go shopping: I loved going to BC Street out Gate 2. There was an semi-open-air mall, some really cute clothing stores (not that I could fit into most Japanese clothing since I'm not tiny), at least one music store (oh, the days when people actually bought CD's...), and one of my favorite stores called Ammo Box. They sold funky clothes and accessories, plus some random junk.

*When you visit, don’t forget to pack: A Japanese-English dictionary, though most people over there that you'll come into contact with speak English.

*But leave room in your suitcase for: A kimono :).

*The one local cuisine you should try when you’re in town is: Soba! And since every hibachi place I've been to in the states sucks, go to one there so that you'll never enjoy it here again.

*The best way to get around: Driving. But be warned: drivers on Okinawa are more than a little reckless. They follow the three car rule--when the light turns red, three more cars will go through it.

*If I had to describe this city in one word, it would be: Japanese. No, maybe bustling since there are always so many people walking down the streets, shopping in the stores, and just generally moving around.

*I tell my friends to stay at: I never stayed here overnight, but I went during the day to the spa and pools and it was really nice--Hotel Nikko Alivila.

*The one thing most outsiders don’t know about this city is: The cities/downtown areas of Okinawa are overcrowded and a little dirty, but the people are super friendly so they and the beautiful beaches make up for it.

*They say “Virginia is for lovers.” So fill in the blank: Okinawa is for people who like history, being immersed in a different culture, and going straight from the shops to the beach. I can't sum that up in one word.