Trip to Okinawa
I went to Okinawa with my students from February 17th to 20th. I enjoyed the trip much more than my students, I’m sure.
During this trip, I was impressed by many things, especially the nature and the island’s culture and history. I was moved by the beautiful sea and mangrove forests, but I heard that the coral was in danger of dying. We need to protect the environment.
Okinawa was an independent country a long time ago. It had its own king and a flourishing trade, so the buildings there will remind you of China and other South Asian countries. They were amazing.
One of the most important things about Okinawa is the war. Many people, not only soldiers but also civilians, many of them young students, were killed. There is a memorial hall where you can learn many things. I really thought that I should show the compositions exhibited there to many people and let them realize how miserable and tragic war is.
Comments
Hey Ruedi.
I may have made you misunderstand our trip. My students enjoyed Okinawa very much. When I saw their smiles and satisfied expressions, I got very happy. Students’s smiles give me power.
Hi, Wakako san.
You are also very good photographer I think. In the first picture, I can see a kind of digital camera. Is that an illusion? = )
In fact, I am from Okinawa prefecture. Do you know Miyako island? That is my birth place. But we moved to Nagoya when I was only a two-years-old boy. Since then I have never been back to my birth place for about 19 years. Relatives often come to Mie, but we do not go to Okinawa. My father sometimes goes back to Okinawa, but I have never been there again.
Therefore, I do not know the atmosphere of Okinawa. I wish I could have joined you on the school trip to my old country.
Hi, Dai-chan.
I didn’t take those pictures myself. I don’t have a digital camera but a single-lens reflex one. So I asked a teacher next to me to show his photos on this web.
Dai-chan, I wish I could visit small islands near Okinawa main island such as Miyako and Ishigaki. If you have a chance to visit your birth place, show me your photos there.
pketh :: March 3, 2004
Heya, been too long since I’ve commented..
What class is this and where do I sign up?
Seriously though, it’s sad how long it’s been since I’ve been on anything even remotely resembling a field trip. Even then, nothing ever seemed this grand. :D
dew :: March 4, 2004
The place looks peaceful to me, I didn’t expect it to have war histories.
During World War II, Japanese tried to avoid American soldiers coming to the main land and they considered Okinawa as a kind of wall. Therefore, so many people in Okinawa were killed then.
Now we know many singers from Okinawa such as Mongol 800 and BEGIN. Some of their songs are messages telling us the importance of peace.
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Welcome back, Wakako!
That sounds a bit like your students didn’t enjoy the trip all that much — why?