Okinawa Day #2

(Sorry for the long wait guys I was a little busy with a paper this week)

The second day of Okinawa we all woke up early to go to Shurijo Castle, an old Ryukyu Kingdom castle. (The Ryukyu Kingdom inhabited the island for hundred of years before the Japanese took over in the late 1800s). We took the monorail and walked a little ways. If you don't take the monorail or bus... you have to walk everywhere.

When we finally found it, about 15 mins into the walk, we walked up the ramp and into the castle grounds. We toured the entire grounds, inside and out. When we went inside the guest quarters and the main throne building we had to removed our shoes. I had worn sandals that day and most of us were walking barefoot. It was an interesting experience (I have never been barefoot in public in Japan.. weird feeling, socially awkward). I took a bunch of pictures but the buildings were dimly lit and most of them didn't capture the beauty of what we saw.

A lot of famous places in Japan are undergoing renovation. Half of outside the castle was under construction so you can see it in the pics, so I bought a postcard with the entire pretty building showing.

After the castle we took the monorail to the 'Mile' which is a mile long street with famous shops and eating places on it. We bought most of our souvenirs there. We ate a a spagetti shop for dinner. Japanese spaghetti is different, different ingredients, different taste. Not at all like Italian or American style.