Shelter In Place: Week 2 Check In | 第二週自主隔離

Happy Easter! I’m starting to miss being able to attend church on Sunday! Last week we still weren’t sure whether we could go out or not. But this week things got cleared up a bit. We are required to wear masks when entering base, and commissary (on base supermarket) regulates the number of shoppers inside. Okinawa without tourists feels too quiet.

大家復活節快樂！真的好想念能每週日上教會的日子，期待我們能見到朋友相擁的感覺。上個禮拜大家一頭霧水，不確定是否能出門，朋友們彼此聯繫查看基地商場和超市動態。但這禮拜終於有清楚規定，美超有人數控管，進基地需要量體溫戴口罩。爬山看海完全不是問題，沒有觀光客的沖繩簡直是空城。

Miyagi Island | 宮城島

Been to this island quite a few times, still mesmerized by its beauty. Always enjoy the view from sea factory. In the cities I’ve lived in, I’ve not seen beach this beautiful! We came across this secret beach that requires a 15 minute hike. Being afraid of snakes, I was scared the entire hike, but once we got there it was all worth it! Spots we love: Happy Cliff、Akuna Beach、Ukun Beach、Oodomari Beach、Ikei Beach、Tonnaha Beach、secret beach

來這島無數次，魅力從未減弱。美到以為自己在度假，覺得能住在沖繩真的好感恩。最喜歡到鹽廠看海，大概是我住過城市裡擁有最美海灘的地方吧！這次我們找到一個需要步行約十五分鐘的秘密海灘，害怕看到蛇的我，幾乎快被那段路嚇慘了，但非常值得。景點：Happy Cliff、Akuna Beach、Ukun Beach、Oodomari Beach、Ikei Beach、Tonnaha Beach、秘密海灘

Kouri Island | 古宇利島

Without tourists in sight, I feel like we reserved the entire island. We came all the way here for takeout from Kouri Shrimp, but they were closed. Even the nearby seafood rice restaurant was closed. Even the usually heavily trafficked heart rock beach had just the two of us there. Spots we love: Kouri Beach, Heart Rock, INN Studio/Cafe

沒有觀光客的古宇利島冷清到像是我們包島玩。一路開來這目的只想外帶超有名蝦仁飯卻關門，連海鮮丼店也關門。我們只好繞島尋找能外帶的餐廳。平時觀光客爆滿的超著名心形石（日本男團嵐拍廣告的地點），這天只有我們倆，後悔我們沒帶泳衣。景點：古宇利海灘，心形石，INN Studio/ Cafe

Cape Manzamo | 萬座毛

Other than the vendors, there wasn’t a soul in sight. We got takeout from my favorite Hawaiian poke bowl and planned to have our own picnic with the view and underneath the Okinawan sun. Okinawa vibe is slow living, enjoy beautiful ocean, and of course elephant trunk rock! Hopefully COVID-19 will end soon and Okinawa regains its vitality. 

除了賣紀念品小店老闆，這地方空無一人。我們外帶這島上我最愛的夏威夷蓋飯808 Poke Bowls，兩人說好如果沒人就下車看景吃飯，順便享受沖繩陽光。來這慢慢生活，欣賞大象鼻岩石，吹海風聽海聲！希望 COVID-19能快點結束，讓沖繩有點朝氣。

I’ve grown accustomed to waiting to make sure there are no other people around before exiting my car. And if I do see someone coming in my direction, I make sure I keep at least 6 feet of distance away from them. I air hug my friends if I run into them at the grocery store. Been cooking all three meals at home everyday. Let’s keep fighting this virus together! 

今天和朋友聊到近況，我們似乎習慣下車前會確定沒人才出去，有人迎面而來一定馬上保持六呎距離，買菜時見到朋友（唯一能遇到朋友的時候）絕對空氣擁抱，三餐幾乎在家解決。你們好嗎？大家一起加油！

Oki Weekend No.2 | 沖繩週末 2

Another sunny morning followed by stormy afternoon here in Okinawa. Many outdoor activities were therefore cancelled. We decided last minute to go to the aquarium instead. The aquarium was closed for two weeks due to COVID-19 (now reopened). There’s visibly less tourists there. Hopefully coronavirus situation resolved soon and Okinawa can return back to normal. At the same time I hope everyone stays healthy. 

又是一個早上天空超美，下午突然暴雨的沖繩週末。當然許多下午室外活動全部取消，改去水族館賞鯨看書。水族館也因COVID-19會關閉兩個禮拜（已恢復正常），遊客明顯減少許多。希望Coronavirus能快點結束，讓沖繩恢復正常運作，也希望大家身體健康。

Ufuya | 百年古家 大家

This restaurant has been on my list for some time, I even noted reservation is needed. Instead we came here on a whim and set our mind on waiting in line. But due to decreased tourism, we only waited for 5 minutes, and we even got to choose our seats. We ordered Okinawa Agu Pork Tonkatsu, little did we know it’s a fan favorite. Next time we come I want to order the hot pot!

這是一家在清單上很久的餐廳，特別註上需訂位。明治時期建築，一家充滿歷史的餐廳。我們臨時決定來這吃飯，我們想發揮盲從夫婦精神直接現場等！但近期遊客明顯減少，等待時間只要五分鐘，人少到還能選位置。沒做好功課的我們點了沖繩阿古豬排，之後才知道遊客多時這炸豬排很容易賣光。下次我們想晚上來這吃火鍋（我的最愛！）

Bloom Coffee

Have vegan dessert option! Bloom Coffee is surrounded by greenery. Perfect for Sunday afternoon with a friend or two, and just enjoy Okinawa sunshine. This day, UN had 12-hour duty, so my friend and I spent our Sunday after church chatting. Relaxing vibes, occasionally had roast coffee bean aroma.

有全素甜點！一家被綠色植物圍繞的咖啡店，入春第一個和朋友週末來這吸收點正能量！進店裡馬上聞到整間店充滿烘培咖啡豆的香氣，連我平時不喝咖啡都點杯蜂蜜咖啡來品嚐一下。

This COVID-19 pandemic made people feel like it’s end of the world. Although Okinawa hasn’t seen everyone line up to clear the shelves of daily essentials, the pictures and posts on social media showing empty shelves in supermarket and grocery stores worry me. Some of my friends said New York feels like a ghost town. Even our old church has switched to online service. This weighs heavy on my heart but we still need to stay positive, take necessary precautions, and stay healthy through this critical time!

我和UN說最近疫情讓世界末日感極重，雖然沖繩目前沒有大家排隊買民生用品的狀態，但看到大家在社群網站貼文排隊進超市和商店架上已空，紐約朋友們說曼哈頓像空城的狀態，連以前去的教會都開始以線上方式聽講道，覺得沈重但必須樂觀有盼望才不會被打敗啊！

Okinawa Cooking Class with NOSCO | 軍眷團學煮沖繩麵

Wow, I’m impressed by myself! NOSCO (Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Okinawa) learned how to make Okinawa soba and California roll from scratch! We kneaded the dough til perfect firmness and wetness, then cut it into noodle shape. We also made our own bonito flakes! YAS, we shaved it from dry fish! Of course we had to take photos after everything is done to show off to our husbands! TADA!!!! It was delicious, and this view tho!

快被自己迷倒了，覺得自己能在家開食堂了！今天軍眷們（NOSCO）來學沖繩麵和加州壽司（California Roll），從揉麵團確定麵團濕度、桿麵和切條、用鰹魚刨柴魚片做高湯，最後擺盤開吃，太有成就感了！上完課開動時，大家忙著照相寄給老公看，讓他們羨慕一下！UN，下次我會煮給你吃的！ 最後送張教室望出去的超美海景！