Wednesday

Hi ho! Again, another great day. Sensei Clarke went scuba diving, so you will have to wait for his pictures and take on that whole experience. Over all, from hear say, it went well! For us remaining three, we took a long leisurely stroll down Koksai-dori - the main shopping-street of Naha city. From there we took the train to the athletic park, which according to the travel guide had several shrines, temples, and other things of cultural interest. Additionally, it was a park, and the thought of leaving the city was incredibly enticing.

While we were there we ran across this foot thing. You know how in the US we have those athletic stations along paths, where you can do sit-ups, pulls ups, jumps, etc.? (and as a kid you just thought it was another form of a play ground?) Curiously enough - they have the same thing here! Only different. This was a path you walked along - presumably slowly - and the rocks on the path did something to the pressure points in your feet. It reminded me of the cake-walk at elementary school bake sales - minus the music and the baked goods.

If we could read Japanese, we would certainly know more about what it was and why it was - all we know for sure is that our feet felt well afterwards and so did we.

Here is a side ways few of the path:

Here is my dad walking along it slowly. We were following an Okinawain, who was stopping slowly on each section of the path, which dad was emulating here:
Beth in front of me, standing with much patience and control on the stones!

Another view of the path. You can see how it is a bit circular, and does have a railing for one to hold on to.

After this invigorating walk (which indeed it was), we headed home, napped, gi-ed up and went to the dojo, which was amazing! Again, no pictures :o( However for those in the dojo we'll share all we learned when we get home! We then went to dinner with our new friends Rick and Patty from Syracuse, which turned out to be a marvelous time, including playing the Sanshin - a native Okinawian guitar- in the restaraunt and talking with the restaraunt owner and the patrons. We had a marvelous time. However, due to afore said marvelous time, I'll have to wait to post pictures at a later time, as I need to head to bed. Hope your Wednesday was as marvelous as ours was :o) Konbanwa! (good evening!)