Okinawa Habu & Land Mines

It is hard to believe that 2 months have already almost breezed by. I am almost to the point of accepting that driving here is not going to get better or that the Okinawan drivers will never make sense to me. As much as the driving is frustrating a couple of things have stood out to me. I have only seen two accidents on the roads and both have involved Americans; at least I assume they are Americans being scantily clad heavily tattooed Caucasoids near the military bases. Despite the apparent lack of any real rules, I have noticed no local cars that are dented and banged up like I saw in Turkey. This leads me to think there is a rhythm and rhyme to the driving here which I have as yet been unable to tap. I am enjoying my time here, though, and have taken it slow getting out into the culture and landscape. Certain social aspects which generally involve my colleagues, of which there are so many that you could pretty much throw a rock in any direction and hit one, make me feel like flying wa-a-a-ay beneath the radar. Flying low is hard when you score a 45 on Dr. Phil’s personality quiz. Anyway, I have managed to get out a little bit and really to just enjoy quiet time and spending time in low key activities. I was invited last week to explore some old Japanese bunkers in areas that were eventually taken by the US Marines with much bloodshed during the WWII Battle for Okinawa. These were in secluded and overgrown areas off the beaten path. About halfway up one of the Ridges, known as Ryan’s Ridge, my friend who showed it to me said, “By the way watch out for Habu, because he is watching you.” Habu is the extremely deadly viper that lives here and is particularly aggressive. I thanked him for the heads up and then he added, “And if you take a step and here a click, don’t move…there are unexploded land mines out here.” So a fun time was had by all and I found a cool souvenir, but didn’t have time to look for any real artifacts which I understand are at every corner. And I didn’t step on a land mine that I know of. I am uploading this addendum to my blog, not because I have so many profound things to say and show, but because I have gotten a few good pictures I would like to share. The fish were playing Nemo style and I love the photo...yes I took it.  The couple below were getting their wedding photos done at Zakimi Castle.  I had to get an extreme photo of the lighthouse and cliffs.  The boys were on a ledge playing around and my heart was racing mainly because I was sure one would fall to his death.  The sign speaks for itself!