Okinawa Graffiti

Today I decided to take a walk along the water's edge at the Sunabe Seawall. The surf was up and all the surfer boys were out there. So, there were no parking spaces to be found. Since I wasn't in the mood to have my vehicle towed off I decided to go elsewhere. I ended up at Araha Beach in Chatan Town.

Araha beach has plenty of sand and a swimming area. They even have a playground as well as basketball courts that are always in use. My favorite part about Araha Beach is that they have a great walk way. It stretches all the way over to that point where the windmill is at in the photo above. Actually, I think the walkway goes around the point and over to where the sea wall begins.

In addition to the walkway there are numerous picnic tables and lots of trees, although they are trees that do not offer a lot in the way of shade.

So, as I walked along to my left was the Ocean and to my right was the park and the trees and these crazy apartment buildings. I remember my friend, Bryan, used to call describe them as buildings turned inside out. They are covered with tile on the outside.

There is also this interesting little hamburger place called Seaside Jet City Burgers. The smell wafting from this place begs me to come back with Marc and see if it tastes as well as it smells.

These trees to the left are Ryukyu Pines. They are found on Okinawa and it is told that they have evolved to the tropical environment by growing jointed needles. The jointed needles help them to survive the typhoon force winds that can occur here. They are very soft to the touch too.

After I walked across the foot bridge that spans the canal I noticed that there was a lot of "art work" on the wall below the sidewalk. They have made stairs in the breaks of the wall so that fishermen, and apparently artists, can get to the water's edge. I'm sure each of these images have some sort of meaning. They are quite amazing and there is no lack for attention to detail. This first one makes me think of the New Zealand Maori tribal people. I'm not sure why, but it does.

This one is like good and bad yen and yang, or something. The colors and the detail are amazing!

Here is a shot down the wall. One image blends into the next and they don't seem to cover up each others work. I wonder when they do this? You can see the foot bridge in the upper right hand portion of the photo.

This next one is sort of controversial. I started to not post it. But, then I thought, "well, what the heck. The artist is trying to send some sort of message....about disrespect?"

I'm not sure what this next one means. But, I was captured by the green monster thing. I mean not physically captured. But, well, you know what I mean.

Okay, another view down the wall.

All I can say about this one is it must be the heart of the wall. And, the heart is apparently on fire. Or do you think that maybe they are depicting burning love? I'm not sure.

There are a lot of cats hanging around down here. I can only hope that this artist was trying to honor the cats with his art.

I have no idea what this next one is about. But isn't it cool?

I was intrigued by this dragon. The paint and detail are amazing. He is really kind of glittery in the sunlight. Amazing!

I almost missed this one because of the tree and the fact that I was really having to look carefully for each step I took. This guy seems to be eating words. I don't think I have enough of the entire image in my photo to even tell what it is. I'll have to go back out there and see if I can figure it out.

I'm not sure, but I think this next one is trying to depict some sort of alien abduction.

This one at the top of the steps is really quite amazing. Lots of detail.

I think that Yuki the rabbit went to Heaven on August 10, 2009. Poor Yuki, it really kind of makes me feel sad.

I honestly don't know what to think of this one. Aliens again, chains, hooded sweatshirts? Maybe you have an idea of what it is?

Here is another photo of the image at the top of the stairs.

And, then this poor poor kitty. He looks like he is about 8 weeks old. He is traditional Okinawan kitty with the short bent tail. I'm trying to convince Marc that this poor guy needs help. He seems to have a cold in his eyes. Which means that he needs to go to the vet.