Almost off to China,

Today I got to go off post and I learned some things about the people here on Japan. First, they don't take your money (or CC) with their hand. They have this little silver tray that they put it on. Even when we went through the Starbucks drive through (yes, they have them here) they give you a silver platter thing and bow to you as you put your CC on it. I found that quite strange. They also have a bunch of strange superstitions some might call them. Many of them which are really cool. Everywhere you go they have these two dogs called shi- shi dogs. One has it's mouth open, the other closed. When you pass by the closed on it takes all the good and bad omens away from you. Then when you walk by the open mouthed one, it goves you back your good omens. These dogs are EVERYWHERE and any souvenier shop has these dogs on any item you can imagine. They also have these things that you can hang by your door and you touch it every time you leave to bring you luck, or maybe good omens...I'm not sure, but something good either way. ANother thing, they all seem to be avid scuba divers and when by the ocean (which is everywhere) they go to the seawall and actually jump over the wall into the ocean to dive. ANother thing I have yet to see but can only imagin how hilarious it is, is when kids cross the street they are taught to raise both arms over their head and run acrosss the street. I guess it makes them look bigger?? I haven't seen it but the way my sponsor descibes it, it's got to be hilarious. I'm keeping my eyes peeled until we leave.

We got to go off post today and I went with my sponsor around the island a little bit. We drove to this awesome beach area and walked around a bit. Then we went up to this lighthouse surround by these rocks and it was gorgeous. We could barely see the outline of some of the other islands and on a clear day it's got to be spectacular. Then we went down to this blocked off street area that had all these Japanese stores and restaurants. I got some shi- shi dogs (of course) and we ate at this steak place. I got this hamburger steak that was so so tasty. My sponsor is awesome and she spent the day taking me to all these palces. It was great.

Tonight we had skit night and we all did these skits. Most were pretty funny. Then we got the schedule for the next few days. We have to pack our bags tomorrow. Weird. I got some butterflies in my stomach when they were taling about going to Beijing on Tues. In 48 hours I will be in my room in the Olympic Village. ANd I may have even swam in the water cube by then. Wow is all I have to say.

It's bedtime for me yet again. Here are some pics of my trip around the island. Especially of the shi shi dogs and my sponsor and I with a huge one of them. There is also one of the toilets that were in a shop. Thankfully there was a 'normal' one for handicapped used that I gladly used...
Good night for now.