There are many things that happen in life. You graduate high school, you move out and go to college, you get married and have kids. But nothing is quite as excited as moving half way across the world! It is one of the most exciting and one of the scariest things I have ever done. My husband and I live in Okinawa, Japan. A beautiful island south of mainland Japan. You have an adjustment period but ultimately you learn a lot of things living in a different country, so here are my top seven!
1. Americans are seen as a**holes.
This may not come as a surprise (Thanks Ryan Lochte) but being in a different county means you live this. You hear the horror stories of the assholes who made things worse. Since my husband is in the military you hear about it more often than not. Radio stations playing commercials about not being assholes. Leadership telling us not to be assholes. Then you go shopping at a store on base, and realize most Americans are assholes. We only can try changing it one person at a time.
2. Breastfeeding is totally normal.
Breastfeeding is encouraged everywhere but America. Often people take offense for women feeding there child and tell them to go to a bathroom or cover up. Here in Japan, NO ONE CARES! While I was breastfeeding I wasn't ashamed. I used a cover because I wasn't comfortable and I was a newbie at breastfeeding. But why should anyone care if a women is feeding her child? Just turn around (I'm talking to you rude old man).
3.Driving on the "wrong" side of the road.
No it is not the wrong side of the road. According to most countries it is the correct side. I learned to drive with the steering wheel on the right side of the car. I also learned how to drive in very small roads and park in some of the tightest of spots. Just give me time to adjust when i come back.
4. Americans oversize everything.
From vehicles to Big Macs, Americans just can't get the "bigger is better" thing out of their minds. A large size meal there is a medium or even a small here. And a big vehicle is likely to only work on the American bases. But hey, I still like my American sized food.
5. Racism is an issue everywhere.
Yes America, you aren't always the racist one! People in Japan seem to think we are the exact same people they fought in World War II. They might be our relatives but they aren't us. We didn't want to put American bases all over your island, nor do most of us want to really be here. So you can stop protesting out the gates every Friday, because it wont change a thing.
6. You can live in a small space and survive.
Being on an island with 463 square miles means you have to find a way to fit everyone. 1,434,138 people live on this island. It is not as bad as New York City, but this is an island, where the only escape is the ocean, a boat ride or a plane ride to something bigger.7. Family shouldn't be taken for granted.
Many friends of mine back in America take their family for granted. They don't visit them enough, or call enough. When things go bad, they feel guilty. My grandma passed away last April and I was lucky enough to be able to fly home for the funeral. But I have to work twice as hard to talk to my family, and I do. I talk to them as much as I can, because you realize anything can happen and you're helpless over here.
