So, a slight observation before I actually start the blog. When the students at my high school sing English songs, their pronunciation is impeccable, perfect! However, when they speak their pronunciation is slightly limited by the sounds in the Japanese language, notably less that the phenomena in the English language. I am pretty sure it has something to do with the areas of the mind related to singing versus talking — probably something related to tone and melody that makes it easier to speak foreign phenomes…

So now to my day 🙂 in the morning, I went to the Okinawan Prefectural Museum with Otousan, which was pretty amazing. We first went to the Archaeological Museum part of it, which had some amazing artifacts and models and told a very intriguing history of the Ryukan Kingdom. I had no idea it was so interesting! I would say that after the Mughal Empire, the Ryukan Kingdom would definitely be my favorite ancient monarchy. Anyway in addition to painting a very rich picture of the Ryukan culture it also told the more Modern history of Okinawa; WW2, American Military rule, and annexation with Japan. It is really sad how much Okinawan history got destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa: Shurijo Castle, the capital of the Ryukan Empire (the Shurijo Castle I went to was actually a modern recreation precisely on top of the ruins of the old castle, but a few feet above so as to keep the ruins intact. In fact, it even had a glass floor for viewing the ancient ruins!) Urasoe Castle, which I will talk about later, and much much more.

Anyway, then we went to the art section of the museum. And once we entered the first gallery, I found myself thinking ” Is this art?”. The first gallery was honestly many framed 4×6 pictures of various things; people smoking, drinking, sunbathing, etc. They were all pictures of makes(males? — I don’t remember what I was trying to say here,) and honestly so randomly taken even I could have taken them. And some were quite explicit…I did not at all understand that kind of art…

Anyway, the other two exhibition rooms were quite amazing. There were some amazing huge landscape pictures (panoramic) and some very good paintings. But then again there were a few of the paintings that were honestly just splotches of color or very geometric 2-color alteration that looked like a five-year old could have done them (paintings of that type lie in a certain aunt of mine’s house, who shall remain unnamed), which I did not get. But the rest was all very beautiful.

Anyway, then we came back and went, with Otousan, my old Okaasan, and my old Okaasan’s daughter, to celebrate Tanabata. Now I was not exactly sure how we could celebrate it, because all I had seen were people writing their wishes and hanging them on trees, but anyway I was excited. So, we went to the house of an elderly lady who, every year at Tanabata time, hand makes hundreds of Origami ornaments and hangs them all over her backyard. It was truly beautiful! I had never seen so much color, so much Origami, so much hard work, etc. Anyway, we took a lot of pictures, enjoyed the garden, and then went on our way. BTW, after Tanabata, the person who makes all these ornaments invites classes from the nearby elementary school to come and look, and gifts the ornaments to them.

On the way back, we stopped at Kokusai Street, which was absolutely amazing. We stopped there for ice cream but while walking up and down I peeked into the shops, and honestly, it is like the Camden Locks of Okinawa! I loved it! Unfortunately, we were in a hurry and I had not brought much money, but I definitely intend to visit Kokusai Street again, maybe next weekend (on Sundays the street is officially closed to all traffic.) And honestly, the stuff there was honestly very reasonably priced (compared to the mall.). Kokusai street is a very long street but it is close by to the house, so I may go/be able to go by myself!

Anyway, then we stopped by the house to drop Otousan off, and my old Okaasan and my Host Sister taught me how to fold a Yukata and Tie an Obi!

Anyway, then we headed off to another Art Museum. We got there a bit late (4 PM) and it was closing, but since Okaasan was related to the painter whose exhibit they were doing at the time, they let us into the museum but not the exhibit room 🙁 So all we saw was the gift shop, but based on the postcards there the art was AMaZING! That museum had what looked like much more traditional Japanese works, whereas the other one had had quite modern/other culture-influenced works.

Anyway, after that we headed off to Urasoe Castle which was nearby. We first went to the Tomb of the King, which was quite a climb down but in a very beautiful location. Then we went to Urasoe castle which was directly above where the tomb was (on top of the cliff/mountain). However, the whole Urasoe Castle had been destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa! I mean it was still very nice to visit the location and see some of the ruins, but it is so sad that the whole castle was destroyed!

While there we also saw a small monument which had been erected after the 8km path from Shuri, the Ryukan capital (Shuri was the monarchical and cultural capital, which Naha, the main port, was the economic capital) and location of Shurijo Castle, to Urasoe castle was completed. It was interested because in front of the monument there was a stone slab for horseman to mount and dismount their horses–I had never seen such a slab before!

Anyway, after that fabulous day and the visits to all those fabulous places, we headed home.

And then it was time for me to cook. Well, first of all, to be completely honest this was my first time cooking an Indian meal. Anyway, I started by chopping and slightly sautéing the potatoes and bell peppers and throwing them into a pot. I then added water, Shaan Biryani Powder, and onions and put that to boil. Then I made three packs of Maggie (I only used two packets of masala), and but the TJ’s bags of Palak Paneer and Dal in boiling water. Meanwhile the rice was cooking and I put the water to boil for chai. BTW I added onions and onion leaves to the Maggie, which was a very delicious touch.

Anyway, I then served the food and we sat down to eat. Since I had put less spice, I brought extra spice to the table in case anyone wanted it. Anyway, Otousan tasted the soup (Rasidaar Sabzi) and started coughing and said it was spicy. I tasted it and indeed it was quite spicy (which was funny because I had tasted it while cooking it and it was fine — I have a feeling at that time all the masala was at the bottom.). Anyway I offered to add more water but they said it was fine because although it was spicy it was delicious(which was truly genuine — they finished it all and I could tell they truly lived it!). The Maggie was also a big hit as was the Daal (which was somewhat bland.). I had wanted to make Pulyodre but asked Okaasan if they would prefer plain rice and she said yes. I can understand that, because in Japanese cooking if there is a taste I am not used to it helps to have plain rice to lessen it, soo… Anyway they also really liked the Palak Paneer, so I would say overall the meal was a success! They also loved the ginger in the tea, although it was a bit sweet for them — after the first batch finished my Host Sister boiled water for a second Batch of Tea, and when I told her I had put two packs of powder in the last tea she was surprised and only put one. That was definitely an example of Japanesifying Indian food. As oppose to putting the traditional Indian amount of spice, which is a lot, they put just a little of it. During dinner we talked about India, the Ganga and Gadgi, Thai food, etc 🙂 I showed them my Dandiya video, SatyaDevi violin performance, and Karaoke Performance.

Anyway, I would say overall the meal was a success and the day was wonderful! On another note, they have their own soap operas here; while Indian TV may have Chotti Bahu and Pavitra Rishta, they have the same idea in different settings; a samurai setting and a doctor setting. However the ideas are the same, as is the enthusiasm with which such drama’s are watched.

Okay, it’s late and I have school tomorrow, goodnight! BTW I gifted the rest of the Chai ka Masala to them and promised to teach them how to make chai from scratch soon.

Oh and I also showed them Outliers, which my Host Sister had read in Japanese (she is now reading Blink, which I also want to read.). Otousan highly recommended reading Affirmations, a book about the metaphysical world, which seems very interesting!