Okinawa

Arriving at Okinawa, I got my boxed bike and rolled it over to the TA-Q-BIN counter and started flexing my rusty, basic Japanese. The representative at the counter knew little english but was able to figure out what I was asking (they tend to be nicer if you at least make an effort).  Filling out the numerous fields on the form, the woman stated it would take at least a day to get to it's destination which was fine since I had booked 3 days at the hostel to shake off the jet lag.

UPDATE 9/2020: Kuro Neko/TA-Q-BIN acceptance of bicycle boxes varies depending on the city in Japan and policies can change as well as the delivery van (size). Nicely ask your host/hostess to see if the local service will take your parcel (measuring tape comes in handy).

Riding the Naha Monorail

I walked outside the terminal and followed the signs to the Naha monorail.  Boarding the clean, upholstered monorail, I put my lashed panniers next to me and sat down as I overheard someone across the way comment about foreigners in Japanese. Looking around I came to realize that my panniers was the only set of luggage on the seats. I placed my panniers on the floor blushing slightly as my thoughts voiced through my head: "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore.."

That evening I set of on a small exploration of the area around the local streets. As with most anywhere in Japan, evenings are quiet and safe. The animal on the right is an Okinawan Shisa. Two small ones usually adorn the entrance of most Okinawan households to keep evil away and happiness in.

The next day my friend Henry and his gracious waifu whom both live and work in Okinawa treated me to a delicious meal. 

On the right is the peanut tofu for dessert. Mmmm, oishi!

After the meal we walked around through a street festival replete with children and families enjoying themselves and later went for coffee at one of the Seattle Coffee chain cafe's. I'm not sure if it's a combination of the coffee and the clean water here that gives beverages and even cold green tea it's  great flavor.

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