Only One Go Around

The day after Christmas, Herb, Ellie, and I drove to the north end of Okinawa Island to do some hiking and exploring.  The drive reminded me of the Pacific Coast Highway in California. Though it was chilly, I had to stop at one of the many roadside beaches to put my toes in the sand, play in the water, and... ...take the traditional 'jump shot' as I have done on beaches all over the world.  I shall continue to do this until I am old and grey and can no longer jump.  Then, as I did with my grandma, I shall wheel my wheelchair out to the sand One. More. Time. You only get one go around after all :) I was excited to learn that Ellie and Herb were taking me to Hiji Falls for a mountain hike.  I miss hiking the Great Wall and the mountains around Beijing.  I was looking forward to stretching my legs and getting a little exercise- too many Christmas cookies and sugar pie! I saw this Japanese marker tucked in the forest  on the path up the ...

When you decide to celebrate Christmas in another country, you never quite know what to expect. My experience in Asia is that Christmas more often is a 'miss', but when you see something that reminds you of Christmas back home, it's a 'hit.' Posing with a reindeer statue is a definite 'hit.' Merry Christmas, spelled correctly? Spot on. Having to wear a scarf for the chill in the air? Also a 'hit'. Having more twinkle lights than Clark Griswald?  Also a definite 'hit.' The reason Christmas was looking so good in Japan is we were walking about the "American Village" on Okinawa Island. No wonder! If Santa was late getting to you this past Christmas he was imbibing too much with his reindeer. He may have been delayed because he was engrossed in a book in Japan. Maxwell Todd waited patiently under the tree for him. Christmas Eve afternoon, sis and I took a break from...