Okinawa 2

Have you ever gone to a sequel of a movie expecting it to be just as good as the original and was left wishing you hadn't spent your money?

Well, in the case of Okinawa, it's the reverse.

My first experience was yucky. No other way to put it. 

Just yucky.

I wish I hadn't spent the time and money.

But, I decided to give it a second chance.

I am so glad I did.

It was the perfect ending to my 10 years as a track mom.

It was surprising to me when Carl and our older kids went to Okinawa the first time to learn that this Japanese island is much closer to Taiwan than it is to Tokyo. It's a short flight- just 90 minutes. 

Unfortunately, for us, the Mike Petty Track Meet fell smack dab in the middle of a huge Asian holiday, Tomb Sweeping Day. Airlines were swamped as many Asians traveled to home countries to help clean and restore family members' final resting spots. Our journey to this neighboring island took us the opposite, through Hong Kong, and basically a day's worth of travel. We left our campu at 8 in the morning and didn't arrive until after dark.

But, in the end, it was worth it.

Despite, one day of rain, the weather was perfect. The accommodations were unexpectantly more than we could have hoped for. Access to American style western food made meal times special, especially breakfast! But, more importantly, it was our traveling companions that really made the five-day experience extremely satisfying.

Twenty-two members of the high school track team, plus three track coaches, two female chaperones, and two-parent cheerleaders were the Morrison contingent.

When you have a great group of students, chaperoning is a breeze!

On my previous trip to Okinawa, rain wreaked havoc. Three of the five schools pulled out of the meet due to rain. So, basically, there was no track meet. It's just slightly disheartening to travel (and pay for that travel) for a sporting event, and then have it canceled. This year, it also rained on the day of the scheduled track meet. Fortunately, a rain date was already in place. And, that day was beautiful!

Blue skies. Fluffy white skies. No air pollution!

I wonder what words of wisdom or encouragement is being offered.

It's hard to fit three relay teams onto the winner's podium!

Resting and waiting- the shade was a blessing indeed!

Unlike my the previous trip, we were given passes off the military base. This allowed for some sightseeing. One small group was able to visit Hacksaw Ridge. I would have loved to go, but the previous day I pulled a muscle in my leg and was in no condition to hike the slippery, wet trail.

Fortunately, I was able to join the trip to the castle of the ruling monarchs of long ago.

Overlooking Okinawa.

Slow motion dance. I am sure the slowest dance in the world.

As a mom watching my son RAFT with the other senior track members made the trip even better!

They spent several of the evenings together, just spending time with one another before their individual paths lead them to all parts of the world. They even woke up early the last morning to have breakfast together. 

RAFTing is an acronym that helps prepare people for transition.

R- Reconciliation

A- Affirmation

F- Farewell

T- Think Destination

The week before the track trip, the senior class spent 4 days preparing for the changes that come with graduation and returning to their passport countries. Morrison sets apart time for their departing seniors to work through these issues and time for the class to just be together.

These seniors wanted to make sure they built a strong RAFT to carry them through all the trnsitions of the next two months. 

Okinawa 2 was a sequel well worth the extra lesson plans and money spent. There was no other place I would've rather been!