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Monday, July 18, 2011

Kokusai Street

Yesterday, I got an offer I couldn't refuse. My neighbors invited me to tag along with them and to check out Naha, Okinawa's capital, via the Monorail. I'd seen the Monorail at the airport, but I hadn't ridden it yet. I figured it'd be an exciting way to see the city.

 We ended up at Kokusai Street. Kokusai Street is always in action. It's absolutely bursting with people, music, food, shops, and all sorts of smells. I loved it. There's always something interesting (or hilarious) to eat, try, and see. Anyway, here's my pictures from Sunday. Enjoy!

WooHoo! Monorail, here I come! :)

So fresh and so clean, clean. Not like the Metro AT ALL.

Leaving the airport behind and heading for Kokusai Street!

At the Monorail stop. I was telling Mom how the Japanese tend to build one building practically on top of the other. Anyway, here's the picture proof. Everything's covered in concrete.



Okinawan doughnut. Not the most delicious thing I've ever tasted, but not too bad.

Dear Husband, I am always thinking of you. :)

Kokusai Street is A LOT of walking and what better way to cool off than with Mango Beer? Soo yummy! 


Jonathan wanted in on the action.


Kokusai Street!
Street performers. Sadly, only caught the end of their dance.


My companions for the day! :)

The lady that owned this shop was SO nice and sweet that I couldn't help but wonder if she knew what the shirt she had hanging out front said. I almost choked I was laughing so hard.

Habushu (Habu Sake!) This is a BIG Okinawan thing. The pit viper is either put on ice until it's dead THEN added to the awamori or they just stick it in the awamori and let it drown. I haven't tried it yet, but I fully intend to before I leave. I promise to let anyone who comes visit try it! Don't act like you don't want to...

A Habu Sake How-To

Shisha are EVERYWHERE in Okinawa. They're considered guardians and are always found in pairs. Normally, one Shisha has their mouth open to ward off evil spirits and another has their mouth closed to keep good spirits in. They're all over roofs and in front of doorways.

Dear visitors, after we drink dead snake in awamori, we can go for an ear cleaning. Sounds fun, yes?


A lot of the shops are decorated LOUDLY.



Sitting on a Goya bench. :)

3 comments:

  1. Wow, what a different culture you're experiencing over there... The snake in the jar gave me chills, I really don't know about that! Miss you Katie Lee xoxo

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  2. I laughed hard when I saw your picture of the Habu Sake.. Kyle got a bottle for his birthday (he celebrated his birthday while deployed in Okinawa this year) and the bottle with the snake in it currently sits on a book case in our house, creeping me out on a daily basis...

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  3. I normally don't get comments, so I forget to check to see if I have any!

    Anyway, it made my night to see that I did!

    Don't act like y'all don't love the Habu Sake! Erica, God bless you for keeping it in the house. As much as I joke about it, it gives me the creeps too!

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