Espe Swims in Okinawa for the First Time: June

Onoyama Park - Espe is Flying here in Japan

Only the American names come out in English "kind of", if not we would not know when she was competing.

Caught in mid air. Espe learns the Japanese word for ready is "YO" then the gun goes off.

The Onoyama Park Pool is the largest pool Espe has competed in. High tech too.

Espe had to learn the proper way to present athletes. All of the athletes for the heat come in single file and sit in a seat in front of their lane and wait to be announced prior to the heat. Once the they call her name "Otero-chan" she gets up waves and then bows. She also learned she had to bow to officials.

Shishas on Okinawa

Most Shishas are made of clay.

Playful.

Silly Shisha

Vampire Shisha

Funny Shisha!

Friendship Park. Build during the visit of GW Bush to Okinawa.

Who is scarier?

These antiques were used during festivals.

Lion Dance Costume.

Shisha on every building.

Ryuku Mura.

Just Eddie. Definatley not a Lion dog.

Shisha.

Ryuku Island Dr. Fish little cod.

The Video shows Dr. Fish (cod) loosely translated. You pay $5 for 5 minutes and the fish feed off of the dry skin. I needed a day. I of course with my nasty nurse feet I was swarmed in comparison to everyone else. Each fish cost $7 I need about 100. Of course I thought they should pay me since I fed the fish for about a year.

RYUKU MURA - Okinawan Culture

Habu Center

Habu is the Poisonous snake on Okinawa.

Romance in Okinawa!!!!

The scenary is just so beautiful.

Raul and Espe play the Japanese Banjo the Shamisen with 90 year old Okinawan women who sings and dance or plays guitar as she balances a bottle on her head. She was awesome.

Espe meditating in Ooshiro House (200 years old). The house belonged Yonabaru master a senior statesman of the Ryuku Kindom.

Sugar cane is still produced by hand. The buffalo pulls the wheel squeezing the sugar cane. It is then boiled to produce brown sugar.



Tamanaha House 115 years old.

Yotsudake is a court dance created for the monarchy of Ryuku Kingdom.

Shisha (Lion Dog) and Wakuya who makes the lion dance. The dance is called Shishimasi (lion dance).

The Ryuku Kingdom King and Queen

Eisa is the name of this folk art dance using the drum Parlankoo.


RYUKU ISLAND is a village built to expose visitors to the culture of old Okinawa prior to WWII. It highlights Okinawan folk dances, an introduction to Ryuku Kingdom King and empress, Karate, pottery and the sugar cane processing. You feel as if you are sent back in time through the village. It has beautiful scenery, dancing, food, shopping and the people are just so welcoming. The sake was not bad either.

Below is a Japanese Warrior performing Karate for the King and Queen

Nature walk. Going to Habu center


Habu means poison here the Habu snake is the deadliest even a baby carries the same amount of venom as an adult.

The Otero's Eating Korean

July 9th 2010. Kimchi, Curry Beef and Rice, Bulgogi, Spicy Soup and noodles and BBQ.

The Tomb of Noguni Sokan

I was a little scared to be under trees and have the grass below. Some very starnge lizards, insects, birds and bats and possible snakes roaming the area.

Noguni Sokan is a hero to the Okinawans since he brought sweet potato to
the island from China and helped to prevent starvation in times of or typhoons because of its hardiness and resistance to harsh weather. He becme UMU-UFUSU guardian of the sweet potato.

Eating Italian on Okinawa

Today July 7, 2010. We have found a great lunch spot at the Kadena Marina. It is an Italian Ristorante and the Pizza is almost as good as NYC and that is saying a lot this is our 3rd trip. As you can see Espe is enjoying a shrimp scampi pizza..it is awesome.