Interesting things you might not know about Okinawa...

Well, since arriving in Okinawa three months ago to the day, I've decided to share some things that I've noticed are different about this country that many people might not know.  Maybe you'll find some of them interesting or humorous...

• When you go to a Japanese grocery store, you should bring your own bags or you will get charged for the bags they provide.
• The Japanese make most of their cars with a button that you can push to make your side mirrors fold in because the streets, allies, and parking spots are so narrow.
• It's not uncommon to see Japanese women, especially the elderly, walking around on a sunny day with an umbrella, to protect their skin of course.
• If they don't have an umbrella, they will likely have on several layers of clothing, at least one being long sleeve and one likely being a thick sweater, even in 80+ degree weather and 80%+ humidity.
• Don't be surprised if you see a young Japanese woman wearing heels while playing basketball or hiking up a hill.  They have mad heel-wearing skills.
• Coffee is very popular here.  In fact, if you're driving along and have a craving, just wait a few minutes and you can stop at the next vending machine, often found next to a field or jungle (don't ask me where the electricity comes from to run that thing), an abandoned shack, or pretty much anywhere.
• It is apparently not important to trim the grass in the medians or sidewalks.  It's grown to about 3 feet by now.
• There are ice cream vendors (similar to hot-dog vendors in NY) at almost every bus stop.  Swing your car by if you want some, you won't even have to get out.
• Green tea ice cream is very popular, as are many other green tea flavored things.
• In Okinawa, you must learn to be a patient driver if you will survive.  You will frequently have to pass a car that is parked on the side of the road while taking up a whole lane at the same time, you'll miss your chance at a right turn even though you have an arrow, because the local driver in front of you was so polite to allow five cars going the other direction to proceed through the intersection, even though they had a red light, and, it rarely takes you less than 20 minutes to get anywhere, even if you're only going a few miles.
• It is lawful for motorcycle/moped riders to pass all the cars at a stop light and proceed to the front of the line.  They can also pass between the lanes or go on the outside of the lane while your vehicle is moving.  The first few times this happens to you, you'll jump at the sound, but eventually you get used to it.
• It's not recommended that you park in a business's lot unless you intend to be a patron of that business.  They will likely get upset with you and you can even get a ticket.  They consider it stealing because you're preventing other people from shopping there.
• Japanese people make really delicious baked goods.
• Japanese food has way less vegetables than you would think.  And way more fried food than you would think.

Well, that's all I can think of for now.  I'm sure there will be more things in the future and I will continue this list as they come.  I hope you enjoyed. :)