Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the house…
… everyone was freezing, because they were living in Japan and nobody has central heating here! I must confess that I’m becoming a big wimp when it comes to the temperature - it’s 17C here in Okinawa and it feels chilly! Although to be honest, it’s not so bad outside, but it just feels worse indoors. I swear that yesterday morning when I walked out of my door it felt warmer outside than it did inside. Okinawa hardly needs central heating, with temperatures never dipping below 13C, even in the coldest winters. But in places like Hokkaido, a radiator would be nice to have. Instead, everyone seems to make do with gas heaters, those tables with blankets attached to them and heaters underneath, and wearing warm clothes indoors. The air conditionining units actually have a heating function, but the warm dry air isn’t really that nice. Ah well, I can’t complain at all - I’d be walking around in short sleeves when it’s 13C back in Blighty!
Not too much diving to report, due to weather conditions. I managed to get one dive in with Brian and Jenny on Saturday morning, but then that was it for the weekend. I planned to dive on Sunday but the water was more suited to surfers, so I just headed to Starbucks for a coffee and to warm up. Saturday’s dive at Sunabe (Fab Curry) was pretty nice, but with nothing that really stood out. We saw a nice eel, a small octopus and a couple of lionfish, and that’s about it. The soft coral there is really beautiful though, and it’s an ideal dive site for OW divers, as the depth doesn’t drop below 19m/63ft. It’s surprising considering the number of DSD students and people who dive there that the coral is in such good condition. I’d be interested to know what it was like 5-10 years ago; whether it’s improved or degraded in condition.
Everyone seems to be heading away for Christmas, and there’s a huge number of first year teachers who are going back home for Christmas. I really am not a fan of that idea, especially for first years. I think unless you’re feeling extremely comfortable about living here, going back so soon after coming can just make you more unsettled and homesick. You spend 2 weeks at home when everyone’s feeling festive and welcoming, and then you don’t want to come back here… when you do get back you start to resent the little things that just annoyed you a little in your first few months here. Plus I do think that people should take advantage of the opportunity that living in Okinawa offers. We’re on Asia’s doorstep and only a short flight away from some amazing countries and cultures. Whether it’s golden beaches in Thailand, or the amazing socialist realism of North Korea (both of which I’ve visited), there is something for everyone. And yet people seem determined to spend huge amounts of money during the most expensive flying periods of the year to go home. I respect that Christmas is important for many people, but I would just rather visit somewhere new and expand my horizons. Hence, my trip to Yonaguni, which is only 11 days away. Just about all my transport and accomodation is sorted out, and I can’t wait now. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before (very possibly), but I’m considering going back to Thailand next April/May during Golden Week and going to a huge Asian diving expo there. It’ll give me the chance to do some networking and will also mean I can catch up with some old friends.
So, as the yuletide logs burn in the fireplace, I will bid you all farewell until the next time I have something worth writing about. Take care, dive safely, and wrap up warm.
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17 degrees and you’re cold??! What would your fellow Durham pals have to say about that? Though to say we’re having the mildest winter months over here, my heating has been on an extraordinary amount. When you make it to the UK we’ll try to order a sunny day or you’ll catch a chill and be on the first plane back!
Bim x