James Knott: I came to Okinawa with my wife, Chrissy.
Chrissy: This is what I look like.
James Knott: Her parents, Karl and Satoko, her sister, Annie
Annie: He wants to go over here now.
James Knott: And Annie’s husband, Joby.
Joby: Boku Wa, Joby Johnston. That’s me. Right here de-su.
James Knott: It’s a great opportunity to meet the Okinawan half of my wife’s family. For most of my time in Okinawa, this cute little house in Nakijin village is my base of operations. My mother-in-law and sister, Tsuneko, and her husband Haru occupy the home.
Haru and Tsuneko are very nice. They take me on many adventures around the island. They host several cookouts at their home in Nakijin. Relatives come from around Okinawa, Kitadaito and the mainland to see us. We worked together to cook the food and there is always lots of food and, maybe one or two beverages.
Haru and Tsuneko also have a pet spider living in the bathroom. “There’s the toilet. There’s the spider. We’re in Okinawa and my big question is how do they sleep with spider’s that are this big in their house”
Haru-san: It’s so big.
James Knott: Haru-san doesn’t mind the spider because it doesn’t hurt humans and eats the bugs that wander into the house in this rural part of Okinawa.
Haru-san: I like lizards a lot, but I really don’t like spiders.
James Knott: It’s a lot of fun hanging out with everyone. Chrissy and Annie spent a lot of time with their cousins growing up and relish being reunited with them. They even get a cake for Annie’s birthday.
For me, meeting my Okinawan relatives gives me a greater attachment to the island. As I wander around on my adventures, I know that I have the support of a wonderful family and want to learn as much as I can about their unique culture.
My name is James Knott. Thanks for watching. If you’re watching this on my website, Agileh.com, please continue watching the other great videos on the site. If you’re watching on another video sharing website, please comment, rate and subscribe to my videos and stay tuned for greater episode about traveling to Okinawa. Thank you.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services