Howdy Doody

I`m becoming disastrously boring in blogland, I know, no pictures, hardly any updates. Please forgive me everyone, I feel very cut off, but as I keep promising, I hope to have some more pictures up soon. Woe be the day Vee is able to contribute more to her waning blogspot than I!

Last week I went to Okinawa for four days of relaxing in the tropical sun at a beautiful hotel complete with sparkling pool, spa, sauna and about a million restaurants. That said, it rained for 2 and a half days, it was overcast for one, it was too cold to swim in the unheated pool and it was too expensive to dine at any of the hotel restaurants. Nevertheless, pitiful circumstances aside, we had a marvellous time. There was one day of glorious weather and we made the most of it, getting up at 7 to spend the whole day wandering around the coves, lying on the beach and soaking up the sun and sparkling sea. So all was not wasted and we weren`t keen to dwell on the the unfortunate aspects of our trip. Besides, there`s more to life than lying on a beach sipping cocktails while some poor local polishes your toenails.

One the second day it looked pretty grey, so we decided against the beach in favour of the botannical gardens. Though rather arduous was the journey (2 buses and a fairly long walk up a very steep hill), the gardens were definitely worth it. Nothing like acre after acre of orchids to remind you you`re in paradise.

I think what made the holiday complete was the ever-present evidence of superior US military might. Constant reminders of our benevolent guardians flew overhead in their Chinooks and Hercules, disturbing what was otherwise a serene and peaceful locale. Horizons marred by aircraft carriers is a small price to pay for the safety we all felt at the sight of this American largesse. Seriously though, if I`m not mistaken, the war ended some 60 years ago. What the fuck are they still doing there? You really got a sense of local resentment towards the US presence when residents would sidle up to you and cannily inquire as to you nationality before launching into jovial conversation under the assurance of our non-American status.

Anyway, that`s all for now, I promise to keep in touch and post pictures soon!
Love to all, Mezzle