Not long after we had decided to leave this amazing island in the beginning of August, we were invited on a powerboat heading to mainland Japan with a Swiss captain. I was excited at the idea of leaving Okinawa by sea, although the departure of the boat was 26 July - 10 days earlier than we originally planned. The next week felt like an insomniac's dream. We were packing boxes at nighttime, seeing friends, running around offices and selling our stuff in daytime - I bet everyone knows this who has ever moved from one country to another. The peak of it was the day that started with a garage sale (literally it was a living room sale since we don't have a garage) in the morning, we closed the shop in the early afternoon and headed out to our farewell party where I had a three stage dance show to perform. But it all went well, thanks to the enlivening energy of our best friends coming to say goodbye to the garage sale and to cheer us at the party.
The day before departure we got a phone call from the captain letting us know he is leaving a day early - that evening. We freaked out and started to stack everything in our backpacks, but at the same time Hunor mentioned to him that we only want to ride with him halfway, to the island of Yakushima. Hearing this, he got furious and there was no way to talk to him anymore. Simply because after swearing and shouting he just hang up on us several times. It was the moment when we decided we have to let this boat go and find something else (well, we never heard back from him since then, so we were not the only ones who came to this conclusion...). Two minutes after the decision was made we were both fast asleep, exhausted after a week of fast forward packing.
Adding to all that, it was the day of my 30th birthday. When i woke up after our 3 hour nap, i had a headache and i felt totally burnout. Maybe race dogs might feel the same when at the end of the race they realize they were running after a plastic rabbit. I felt disillusioned and to tired to come up with a new plan. I wanted to celebrate, to start the thirdX with something grandiose - but at that point a birthday cake and a smile would have been enough to comfort me. As always, Hunor did everything to get me out of the private mudpool i was sinking into. We went to have ice cream (and pretend it's a birthday cake) and then to drop some stuff at the Cruzado's (my best friend, Hazel's parents). Aaaand… the Cruzados awaited us with a real cake, candles and all, a delicious fish dinner and warm encouragement.
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| birthday ice cream |
They were my birthday angels for sure. After leaving their house we decided to go north, join some friends camping at Cape Hedo, the northernmost point of the island. It was past midnight when we got there and they were surprised to see us there for sure. The next morning we had a long snorkel in the clear waters, Hunor caught more than enough fish for all of us and i have seen a sea turtle swimming by (good omen, they say).
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| hunting buddies |
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| the catch |
The following day, thanks to my friends who are always ready to have some fun and let us borrow their boards we had the chance of going out surfing at Teniya, one of the most picturesque surf spots on the island.
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| Teniya beach |
So after all it seems my birthday present were some beautiful extra days on Okinawa. Good snorkeling, good surf, spending time with good people. Getting some sleep, pack and prepare properly for the big move. We haven't moved, but i feel like the third chapter of my life did start on my 30th birthday. We are on the road, 2gether. We will start walking it soon.
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