Car Washes In Okinawa

I have never been to a place where the lines at the car wash is always long! If its a nice sunny day, you can fuhgettaboutit. But even on an overcast day like today the lines are about 10 cars deep. For those of you not living in Okinawa, you may be wondering what's the big deal about washing your car. Because its not like many of us have a nice new shiny car that we're trying to keep the new cat scent in. Actually I'm still trying to get this putrid moldy smell out of my 3 door SMX. If you live off base in an apartment, like we do, then chances are you don't have access to a water spigot and water hose. Another reason washing your car is a big deal here on the island is that our cars get really dirty and salty! We've had typhoons in 3 of the last 6 weekends and the cars have taken a beating! So in an effort to not have to wash the car and then sponge it off before the soap dries, you have to go to the car wash. And wait. By the way I typed all of this with plenty of time to spare while waiting in line to get the car washed!

USO Okinawa Service Salute 2011

Elyce with members of the USO and a few Generals here on Okinawa.

Last night Elyce and I attended the USO Okinawa's Service Salute. This gala highlights a service member from each of the U.S. military services as well as Japan's National Defense Force. In all there were 7 military members awarded for their outstanding service. It was also a night to highlight the contributions that some of the local businesses provide for the USO and our troops. Elyce was one of the many special guests that included CEO's, Generals and Admirals from the U.S. and Japanese military services as well as important members of the USO.

 

Elyce and I after dinner.

Deadly!

TCCOR 1E!

        

Elyce and I are sitting in our little Japanese apartment sitting out our second major typhoon of the season. The first one was over the Memorial Day weekend and to be honest it was pretty scary. Our apartment made noises I didn't think a building could make. We heard glass shattering outside. The rain and wind beat on the windows like drums. It was Elyce's first typhoon experience and the worst I'd ever experienced. So now we are sitting and waiting to see what Typhoon "Muifa" is going to do. So far it hasn't been so bad. We both got off work early yesterday so that we could prepare for the storm. But so far it's just been a lot of wind and rain. I haven't seen any debri thrown around like the Memorial Day storm...not yet at least.