Oogamishima

Hello all. Once again I talk to you from paradise.

Yesterday we got up early to go to take a ferry to Oogami Island (“big god” island) to go snorkeling. It was my first time ever doing so. The waves were really hard, because of the recent typhoon in the area, I guess. But there were lots of fish, and when you got really far out there were lots of colors in the coral. We even saw a sea snake!! And, even better, it didn’t come up to say hi!!! I was only out there for about an hour, because it was so hard to swim in those waves, and I was feeling a bit sick because I’d swallowed so much of the ocean, but it was fun. Afterward I went back to the picknick site and I hadn’t realized that it was such a small island (population: 30. Maybe?) so I hadn’t thought to bring a drink, expecting vending machines. Stupid me. But Atsuyo (a friend of Jonathan, the block head here, visiting from Kobe) wanted to try to find a store too, so we went adventuring. Her English was a little better than my Japanese was so we communicated very well in both languages. But to get to the store we had to walk up this BIG hill, which sucked. Then we found what we thought was a store, but there was noon there and it looked like a house so we kept on walking. Then we found this big sign that said “great view. Don’t climb on the God.” We walked up the hill, and up the stairs, and up some more, and up some more and finally found the top. On the way we saw some of those really big black spiders that Nick had warned me about. Yep, the size of your hand. The body the size of your thumb. Really creepy. Atsuyo said she’d email me the pictures, so I’ll try to get them up later. At the top we could see for miles. It was soooo very pretty all around. You really didn’t know where to look! And we saw the big rock that was the god. We thanked him for the lovely view and for keeping the spiders out of our faces and climbed back down. Once we got back into “town” we heard some voices and asked them where the shop was. They said it was right behind where they were and this little old lady walked down with us and let us into her shop. She sold us some drinks and asked if we had some time. We said we did so she made us some takoyaki, some grilled octopus with onions. It was the best tako I’d ever tasted. It wasn’t too chewy and was perfectly seasoned. Then we chatted with her for a bit. Turns out she’s more than 84 years old! She was so lively for someone so old. It was really nice. Then we went back down and met up with the rest of the people and caught the ferry back to Miyako.

We decided that lunch would be a good thing, so we stopped by this little place out of the way. On the way to that we had to get gas in the next town over, so we went over this really long bridge with some really great views. For lunch I had tofu scramble (tofu and veggies) and it was really nice.

Then we stopped back by the house. I chilled for a bit before going out for a walk. I didn’t get lost and figured out some new ways to get to my house. I really need to go out on my scooter or bike or something so that I can get to know the roads. But I guess that’ll come with time. I did find this really old run down temple (with two spiders, one that I didn’t see when I was walking back the first time and had missed literally by about an inch). It was surrounded by trees and really nice, but it looked like it wasn't really tended anymore.

I got back home around 6 and laid down for a nap. Three hours later I tried to get up to go to a party, but just couldn’t. I slept until 7:30 this morning. It felt really good. Hopefully I’ll be more on time after that.

This morning I talked to Leo and wished him happy birthday (because it is here, but not there yet). And I got to see my Luce and Shadow Cat. I cried. I keep hearing noises at night, probably just the fan blowing things around, but my first reaction as I’m asleep is that it’s probably the cats getting into something, then I remember there aren’t any cats here . . . . Then I get scared cuz I don’t know what it would be, until I remember the fan.

Well, I should probably get going. Love and Peace!