For my first trip in 2007 I decided to do the same as my last trip of 2006. That’s right; Okinawa baby!!!! I won’t be going there much in 2007 due to other travel plans. This trip was my birthday/xmas present to myself and I was able to see my friends before they deploy to Iraq.
I left my house at 1:30am on Thursday (1/11) so I could be at the airport by 2am; two hours prior to my 4am flight. Yes, you read that right, 4am flight. I got to Osaka and nobody was in the airport at 6:40am, so I cruised through immigration, customs, and security and was at the gate at 7am. I bought a few Georgia Coffee’s (coffee in a can) and sat there, literally bouncing in my seat until my flight was ready to take off.
I could see Okinawa out my window and instantly breathed easier; there is just something about Okinawa that makes me feel at home and at peace. I took a “long” taxi to Sarah’s house (5000 yen later; ouch) I was there, kicking back on the balcony, watching the military planes do touch and go, and ready for F & C (that’s flight suits and chili’s for the layman)!!!!!
Sarah, “A Friend”, and I did Chili’s for dinner. Ok, I about froze to death waiting for our table. It is 20 degrees cooler on Okinawa (Guam is hotter) and every time the door opened I threw myself onto “A Friend”, making him take the cold gust of wind. Of course he never complained about me pressed up against his back and arm and he would prop the door open with his foot to keep me there just a bit longer:) It was a fun night; we did dinner and then rented movies, went back to his house and watched them on the big plasma screen.
Friday, I did Sarah’s laundry. Sarah has decided that I’m “the bitch” of the relationship; I seem to do her laundry all the time and take care of her. Which I don’t mind doing at all, it makes me feel needed and I get to nurture someone; I miss being able to do that. Anyway, we went to the Hard Reef and partied like Rock Stars (see pictures; me in black shirt). I was able to see Tommy, Glo, Dick, Cat, Meagan, and several other friends. Dick and I ended up going to Tropical Moon to see Jeremy and then headed to CoCo’s for curry (3am). I would say it was early night by Okinawa standards; I got home around 4am. Sarah actually made it home before me but only by minutes.
Saturday, we recouped from Friday, the Orion hangover/headache is KILLER; requires 3 Advil’s every 5 hours and lots of water. We ended up going to McDonalds for lunch (it just tastes better there; it’s the lard). We took it to “A Friends” and watched old football games. That night I was back at the Hard Reef for the start of the bar hop and the going away party for Erique and Ray; my boys are going to Iraq (see pictures of me in the brown shirt). We had the best time. I did have to slap a guy in the chest; he tried to “Cop a Feel” and I put him in his place. We left the Hard Reef after many drinks/shots and went to the Tropical Moon, and then it was onto Gate 2 Street and Club Red. Oh man, what a meat market. I forgot what it was like; I didn’t go there much when I lived there. I danced with Marcus, Ray, and Frank. I think even Brian and I danced a bit but I was too busy downing free beers and taking pictures. Frank and I left around 2:30am and stumbled down Gate 2 Street, stopping to eat Yokitori (chicken on a stick) and find a taxi. I fell asleep in Frank’s lap and woke up when we got to the Eclipse. We stayed there for about 45 minutes and then decided it was time to head home. Frank wasn’t doing too well and I was tired. I think it was about 4am when I got home. Sarah arrived a few minutes later.
Sunday, Sarah, Cat, and I went to the Globe and Anchor for lunch and girl talk. Three hours later we left to get Sarah’s car. Oh, Sarah got a new car and it is soooooo cute!!! We never did make it the Garlic; we were too full from lunch but not so full that we couldn’t go out to the Hard Reef for a late night beer run. We ran into the Emissary and his friend (Emanuel & Brian). IF you remember, the emissary is the guy who would come to get me for a table of full of Marines. Anyway, Sarah asked them to baby sit me so she could go home. We ended up being out until 5am, closing down 2 bars. Then it was 3 hours of sleep; I got up and did laundry, pack, and head to the airport.
I love my friends and my trips to Okinawa. I won’t be back for a while but they know how much I love them.
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