I found a terrific plant nursery yesterday ALL BY MYSELF (This is significant in two ways: 1. I didn’t have the kids along to ‘help’ and 2. I didn’t have Matt along to REALLY help– like find the place, park, pay and ooze his chaps charm). *disclaimer: We drive by the home improvement store next to it daily and there is a sign in English that says ‘plants,’ so maybe it isn’t THAT big of an accomplishment.*  I can’t read any of the signs yet, but just breathing the potting soil in the air made me feel at home. Plus, I can sniff out mint, basil, and tomato plants blindfolded, and this place had them all.

My challenge with shopping off base is three-fold:

1. Finding the place I am going. It might be said that I have trouble finding things in the states, but I take it to another level internationally. Roads/ stores/ plazas may or may not be marked, and directions are usually landmark based. If I am supposed to turn left at the “monkey sign,” and I miss it, I’m likely to go until I see water. (This is how I spend most my time in the car…’Is that a monkey on that sign? Wait, was that a dog? Did it kind of look like a monkey? I better go back. I think the guy said it was on the left. Wait, how many times have I turned around…will it be on my right or my left now?’)
2. Once I find where I am going, I am tempted to do a happy dance, until I remember I have to park. Most Okinawans park on the street, and they are PROFESSIONAL PARKERS, PEOPLE. I am not kidding. I have seen cars parked in places where I would have trouble putting a bicycle by myself. Sometimes the parking is in the back, sometimes it is down the street, sometimes it is underground or in the tower above the store. Today, I found a parking lot (Hallelujah!) and there were tons of empty spaces, so I could pretend I am Okinawan and back Big Steve (my big van) into a spot no problem (or with only three adjustments).
3. Finally, I get out of the van, my shoulders relax somewhat as I try not to let the signs in the parking lot dim my confidence (does that say ‘no parking?’ I wonder if this space is reserved for the employee of the month?’ ‘Should I move the van?’ Maybe that was too easy?’), and I go into the store. Now I just have to respond with my six words of Japanese, smile and duck my head as if to say, ‘yes, I am an idiot foreigner, please forgive me for doing this all wrong,’ and flip through my phrasebook if I need help.

Thank goodness most Okinawans are gracious and kind. One worker greeted me and I think he asked if I needed help, but I shook my head ‘no’ since I could see the mint and the potting soil. I smiled and thanked him. I looked through the rows of potting soil until I found some with pictures of vegetables and herbs on them that felt like the right consistency.  I was most at home with the plants, but I limited myself to just the herbs and tomatoes for now. Once I have a chance to research the growing season a little better, I’ll be back. There was also a small fresh vegetable stand inside the nursery, and I got a couple pounds of sweet potatoes for sweet potato cinnamon rolls.

By the time I got home, I felt like nothing could stop me—bring on the kanji, I know no fear! That’ll last until I think of something else I need off base. Now that the kids are in school, I am hoping to take a Japanese language class, so I can communicate a little better when I am out and about. Now, if only the sun would go down so I can plant my basil, mint, and tomatoes!