Where East Meets West

Yesterday we went for a ride. Our intentions were to head to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. The aquarium here on the island was the largest one in the world until Atlanta opened its aquarium in 2005. We inadvertently put that off for a spontaneous trip to the northern cape of Okinawa. You guessed it. We got lost. How can you get lost on an island? You can. When I pulled out the map to see where we were it was closer to head on to Cape Hedo than to turn around. We stopped there for a few minutes and saw where the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. It was absolutely beautiful!

East China Sea

Pacific Ocean

Since the cape was a long drive we had to scope out "the facilities" which brings me to the introduction of a somewhat delicate topic. Bathrooms. The bathrooms here are...well...they're different. Depending where you are there is only what looks like a urinal buried in the floor of the bathroom. I don't know how else to explain it. That's what it is. It flushes...from what I've seen. Logistically speaking, I just don't get it. This is how it works with me...I walk in, see a hole in the ground, turn around and leave all the while muttering that it's just not worth the trouble. It's one of those things that I'm just not ready for yet. I've got 35 months left. Why rush? Plus, the handicapped bathrooms are normal. As long as those are around life is good. Oh yeah...and I have heard there are bathrooms like I just described in some places that are not gender specific. So, yes...men & women...in the same bathroom. If I walk up and see one sign with two people on it then there's really no need to even go in, is there? And that's your Japanese culture lesson of the day. You know what? Why stop there? I know people are going to want pictures so I took the liberty of Googling one. Here you go...

Can you say awkward?

Well, we did finally make it to the aquarium but, I'm going to save that for another day. We're going back on Jenna's 4th birthday...this Thursday. I have to devote a whole post just to the aquarium. It's pretty awesome!