A list about Okinawa

I've loved the warm weather and relaxed atmosphere of Okinawa, but I'm ready for a few more city days before heading back to Florida. Onwards and upwards---to Tokyo!
(By the way, on the flight here, the big screen at the front of the airplane cabin showed the video of our takeoff and landing. That was pretty surreal to watch.)

1. First off, I've learned the correct pronunciation of Tomigusuku. Here's the breakdown. Tom-like the boy's name i-like in eat gus-like in Hurricane Gustav ku-like in cuckoo (This is us with the mayor, superintendent, director of city planning and other city officials. We're waiting to find out if this is going to appear in the newspaper. Our visit is the first time that JFMF has sent a group to Tomigusku.)

2. Okinawa is the poorest prefecture in Japan. Many Okinawans are frustrated with the American military presence in Okinawa. American military bases cover 20% of the land. The first reason that Okinawans give for the high rate of unwed mothers in the prefecture is American military men. Also, most instances of crime come from the actions of drunk soldiers.

3. Okinawa is the melting pot of Japan; it's a strategic military and cultural bridge. There are substantial Chinese, American, Taiwanese, Peruvian, and Bolivian populations.

4. According to the superintendent of schools in Tomigusuku City, the biggest source of pride about the Tomigusku school district is the district's "vibrant children" who want to come to school to see their friends and teachers. The district's biggest challenge is convincing students who do not want to come to school to change their minds.

5. The schools foster cultural exchange by promoting baseball games between Okinawan school children and American children living on military bases.

6. The drinking age in most of Japan is 20, but it's 15 in Okinawa.

7. Okinawa used to be the independent Kingdom of the Ryukyus.

8. Commadore Perry made Ryukyus his base while negotiating with Japan, and he instituted the treaty of friendship between the US and Japan from Okinawa.

9. The trading culture helped Okinawa develop a culture influenced by the foreign lands of Japan, China, Korea, and other Southeast Asian countries.

10. Japanese longevity for men and women is first in the world. In Okinawa, the number of people living more than 100 years is first in Japan. The reasons given for this are assumed to be "healthy diet, mild climate, and a less stressful lifestyle."


(Me with Japanese schoolboys on their way to Okinawa for a cultural exchange field trip. Many Japanese people wear medical masks if they're sick to keep from spreading their sickness to others or to keep from getting sick when exposed to other people's sickness.)