One of the things I really wanted to do in Okinawa was scuba dive. It:s been a year since my diving in Thailand, and there:s not a lot of opportunity in Tokyo (or in Prague, my last major vacation destination the previous summer.) Unfortunately, the time we had in Okinawa was a pretty small window, and most of the time we spent on the American bases there.The time we did try to find an English-speaking guide, he was completely booked. As if a little think like language would stop me? Using my best broken Japanese, I was able to sign up with a local dive shop just off the sea wall.
It was one of the best times I had down there. The diving wasn:t that spectacular, being slightly off-season with the rainy season and after a few days of rain made for somewhat average visibility. But interacting with the locals was a blast! This was one of the marked differences between me and the other teachers. They really seemed to prefer the American lifestyle on the island. Granted, it *IS* pretty cool. I ain:t going to deny it. But I think that one of the things that made me want to live overseas was the fact that you HAD to immerse yourself in the local culture. If you really don:t want to risk some security and "safety," then maybe you don:t really want to live abroad.
I completely agree with the above comment, the internet is with a doubt growing into the most important medium of communication across the globe and its due to sites like this that ideas are spreading so quickly.
Posted by: Aajf 6 | June 30, 2010 at 01:00 PM
Looks like you've had a great time. You're right! Nothing can stand in the way of a great dive. Language is not a barrier to what you want in life. It's all in the drive. There may be some risks, but the payback is definitely sweet.
Posted by: Bertie Westcoat | April 26, 2011 at 04:17 PM