Nails at Cocok's

Getting your nails (pedi or mani) are something EVERYONE does here in Oki at least once!  It is an art here.  They have a HUGE (prob about 8 inches thick) book w 100's of pictures of nail and toe art that they do.  Each toe (or finger) is artfully painted...whether you have chosen flowers, your squadron logo, snowmen, Christmas trees -- cherries are what Lauren chose in the picture......Its not cheap -- about 4,000 y (45-50.00) for the full treatment, although you can have a polish change for about 1,500 y (about 20.00)

Roller Park

Pics from our visit to the roller park near our house.  These are super fun for the kids (and adults!).  Grab a piece of cardboard and down you go!

Okuma w the Crane's

Had a great two days w the Crane's up at Okuma

Kokusai Street

Well, our friend's made it in, and unfortunately, our plans to go to Okuma (military resort) have been put on hold till they open....we needed to come up with alternate plans.  We decided today to go to Kokusai Street, which means International Street.  We have never been there before.  We decided to take the local bus down there, another thing I have not ever tried, but parking is horrible in this area.  Today happened to be the yearly celebration called 10,000 Eisa Dancers.  A big parade from 2-7pm.  Eisa dancers are dancers that dance to the beat of a big drum  (Eisa Drums).  It is a very traditional dance.  Here are some pictures we took of the dancers and also of the famous fish market.  All sorts of colorful fish, and meats!

Typhoon Muifa

Well, after 2 1/2 days of being cooped up in our houses, we are almost to the ALL CLEAR.  Have to wait for the military to drive around, make sure there aren't any downed power lines, etc..have already seen a big truck, MP's, maintenance vans, etc...So I think soon we should be "allowed" out of our houses.  This was a slow moving typhoon, I guess it moved at 4 mph, so it sat over Okinawa for about 12 hours, dumping, winds in excess of 100 mph.  Yes, it was a little crazy, and sometimes eerie...the winds get this weird sound, sort of like a whistle.  We survived, the dog and cat survived...Our trampoline frame seems to be in pieces, but we think it will be able to be put back together.  We had always kept it up in the past, and it was fine.  Dan takes the bouncy parts out, and just leaves the frame, and we sand bag the frame...Well, I think because the winds lasted so long, it fell apart.  Trying to get some pictures, will post those soon.  Looking forward to our friends, The Cranes, coming in, HOPEFULLY tonight.  Their flight this am was cancelled out of Taipai to here, so crossing our fingers they will get in tonight!

Summer Vacation

We enjoyed about 5 weeks in the US this summer...we traveled from Okinawa to FL, to NC back to FL......We visited parents, grandparents, friends, family, celebrated birthday's, promotions, beach, visited colleges, and basically hung out...it was the best vacation and break we needed!  I will post some pics probably when I get back. 

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