Diwali Mubarek!

I know Diwali was almost a week ago, but I hope the festival of lights was as fun for you as it was for us!  Ryan and I hosted our first dinner party since we got married and I cooked an entire Indian meal for the first time in my life!  It turned out de-li-ci-ous!  You can find all of the recipes on my new cooking blog.  Check it out here!

Zakimi Castle

A few weekends ago, having nothing to do on a gorgeous Saturday, Ryan and I continued Castlequest '09 and visited Zakimi Castle in Yomitan town.  Zakimi Gusuku was built by Gosamaru and oversaw the northern portion of Okinawa.  During World War II, it was used by the Japanese as a gun emplacement.  Later it was used by US troops as a radar station.  Now in ruins, its arches are still an architectural masterpiece.  While it wasn't my favorite castle (that honor still belongs to Nakagusuku Castle), it was a great way to spend an afternoon.

Naha Tug of War

Every October, Naha holds the world's largest tug of war.  Ryan and I heard about this when we first arrived so despite the fact that Ryan was litigating a court martial a few days later, we headed down to Naha to lend our muscles to the tug of war.  We had to participate in an event that always makes the Guiness Book of World Records!

The rope is so massive, that the Okinawans shut down Route 58 - Okinawa's main road - so that there is room for the 40 metric ton rope and the more than 25,000 attendees.  The rope is actually over 3 feet high main rope with many smaller ropes extending to the right and left sides which participants use to pull.

Getting ready to pull!

The tug of war pits the Western side of the island against the East.  After much taunting and a display of karate skills, the "Kings" pass over the rope and meet in the middle for a show down.  When they return to their respective sides, the tug of war commences! 

Men dressed in traditional Ryuku garb instigate the participants by blowing whistles and yelling "EE YA" to which, the participants respond by pulling and screaming "EE YA" in return.

We pulled for 30 minutes and I can't say I really saw the rope move.  After we were exhausted and sweaty, our side was declared the winner!  It's traditional to cut up the rope and take home a piece for good luck.  We went home with about 18 inches of rope, but some people go crazy for that rope!

Our first Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is a ritual performed by married Hindu women soon before Diwali.  We fast for the health and well-being of our husbands.  From sun up to the time we see the moon, our fast shows how devoted we are to them and our willingness to sacrifice for our husbands.  After a wife looks at the moon, she immediately looks at her husband.  She offers a little prayer to Lord Ganesh and the moon and then the husband feeds the wife her first bite of food and first sip of water.

A woman's first Karva Chauth as a married woman is a big deal.  I would have loved to gather with my mother, aunts, and cousins to celebrate the traditional way, but Ryan made sure I had a fabulous first Karva Chauth.  While it's not customary for the husband to fast, Ryan fasted with me to show that he is devoted to me as well.  It was a very overcast night and we couldn't see the moon from our house, so my amazing husband drove me around until we found it!  He fed me, I fed him, and then we enjoyed a fabulous Turkish dinner!  I married a great guy that I would fast any day for!

Karva Mubarak!

Orion Beer Festival

I know, I know, I'm such a bad blogger!  Well, here goes the first of a few updates...

Last month, we went to the Orion Beer Festival, which was held at Koza Athletic Park in conjunction with the All Okinawa Eisa Competition.  The Eisa dancing was amazing, but the real characters were at the beer festival...

The star of the event...Orion beer!

Yes, that man is wearing a beer hat.

The Hubs with Okinawa's local Orion beer!

By the end of the night, there were fireworks and massive beer cup towers!