Flight to Okinawa

    After two weeks in Tokyo, it was time for us to start the next chapter of our journey - Okinawa. For me, at least, it was almost surreal saying goodbye. Even though we were only in Tokyo for two weeks, it had both felt like a lifetime longer while at the same time feeling far shorter. We had packed so much into those two little weeks, and although it was now over, those memories will stick with us forever.

    We all woke up early to eat the breakfast we had bought the prior day before leaving the National Youth Olympic Center for the final time. At 7:30am, we gathered in the Building D Lobby before going to catch the bus.

    After a surprisingly short bus ride, we arrived at the airport. After we all got checked in, those of us who needed to check a bag went to do so. Although there were a few mishaps in this regard, things went relatively smoothly as we moved on to security. I was surprised by how relaxed the security seemed to be. We were all allowed to keep our shoes on and keep basically everything in our bags, something which stood in stark contrast to how things are done in the U.S.. I suppose this further shows what a truly safe place Japan is. 

    After moving through security, we arrived at our gate, Gate 9. Everyone took turns getting food while others watched the bags. We had about an hour before we boarded, so we had just enough time to get whatever we needed before the flight. 

    At around 10:30am, we boarded our flight, and at around 10:40am, we departed. This was a pretty turbulent flight, and being in the very back of the plane certainly didn't help. Regardless, the flight was very short, being just under two hours long. When we landed, that surreal feeling hit me again. We were no longer in Tokyo, we were now in Okinawa.

    After collecting our bags from baggage claim, we got on the monorail. It was a bit awkward getting on and off the monorail - as well as just riding it, considering how many bags we were collectively carrying around - but we made it work. After getting off the monorail, it was just a quick, three minute walk to our hotel. 

    After checking in at our hotel and seeing the truly spacious rooms we will be staying in (much different from our rooms at the NYC!), we took a stroll down 国際通り (International Street). Although it certainly still felt like we were in a city, everything felt much smaller scale than what we had grown accustomed to seeing in Tokyo.

    We all got dinner together at Warayui. This was a six course meal with two drinks per person, and like all the food in Japan, it was very good. It definitely felt nice to get something to eat after all the traveling we had been doing, as most of us hadn't had much time to eat.

    At 7:00pm, while we were still at the restaurant, we got to watch a traditional Okinawan performance. This consisted of a band singing three songs about the history and story of Okinawa, all while using traditional instruments and wearing traditional clothes. This was a very special experience, and I feel that this was yet another example of how well Japan blends its past and present in everyday life and culture.

    Although today primarily just consisted of travel, we also got to experience and learn just a bit about Okinawa. However, although what we experienced today was just a small part of a much bigger whole, I am very excited for what is to come while we are in Okinawa!