Sunrise

Sunrise
Watching the sunrise on my balcony

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Where in the world is Tamara - Sensei?

I have come to the conclusion that some of you have no idea where I live! I realized this after receiving numerous emails from family and friends, concerning my welfare after two typhoons hit mainland Japan.

Since I don't have a television (not like I could understand it if I had one), can't read the newspaper and can't communicate with the majority of people, I really have no idea what is going on in this country and around the world. It wasn't until I received these letters of concern, that I went online and looked at the news. Wow there were major things happening in Japan! I had no idea! It's kind of nice/bizarre to be so far removed from what is happening in the world. Especially since I used to be addicted to BBC world news! I guess I could go online and look at the news, but I never feel the need. So I live uninformed, with the notion, that ignorance... truly is BLISS! XO

With that being said, a geography lesson for all! Okinawa is a tiny island located South West of mainland Japan. It is actually closer to Taiwan then Japan itself. Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost region in Japan, consists of 160 large and small islands. The history of Okinawa has been strongly affected by overseas influences unlike anywhere else in Japan. Due to it's geographical positioning, the original Ryukyu Kingdom developed for trade with Asian countries. This Kingdom lasted until the middle of the 19th century and then Okinawa became a territory of Japan. Today, over 50,000 US citizens live here. Majority of the Americans live on the fourteen US military bases located in the central region of the island. These bases were established after World War II and are still a controversy today.

Check out this link for more information on Okinawa

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