Saturday

Last week was the end of term and along with it came the parties. I don't get off the island terribly often, so it was refreshing to head off for dinner on Thursday then again on Saturday for a BBQ.

Saturday was the best time I've had in awhile. It was a perfect Okinawan day--warm and clear--and we whiled away time before the BBQ playing Russian card games and swimming. We got the BBQ going, though Craig scorched off most of his arm hair in the process. I ended up BBQing a good portion of the time even though I frankly admitted I had no idea what I was about. But the food turned out splendid.

I spent a large amount of time talking with Craig's visiting friends from Scotland. I think it was because they were rather easy to talk with. I found myself drinking with them and some marines later that night. Nothing compares with sitting on a starry beach, listening to drums and watching native Okinawans juggle fire. Unfortunately, one of the Scotsman got a little too lost and I spent a good hour trying to keep him from running into the ocean and drowning himself. This was not something I particularly minded, seeing as I was a little gone myself, but I sobered up much faster than he did. I was quite amazed he could even stand, seeing as he'd been drinking beers all day before we sat down together with a bottle of tequila.