We were hoping for a grocery store because we didn't want to spend a lot of money. Instead, we found a ramen shop. Their prices were pretty cheap, so we walked back and got the kids.
The place was really run down, some of the chairs were even falling apart. It was a little dirty, also. The whole place was so tiny that our whole family took every chair. There was a long table facing the back wall and a bar where one could watch the ramen being made. Considering how run down and dirty the place was, we watched a little nervously as they made the ramen. We had no need to fear, however. The kitchen area was clean and they washed everything as they went.
The shop was run by a couple who had worked together for decades. They talked to us as they made our ramen and were so welcoming and kind. It was like having dinner with old friends!
Okinawan ramen is a little different from Japanese ramen. They use meat with a lot more fat on it. In fact, try as I might, I couldn't even eat all of my "meat" because most of it was a big slab of fat. They also don't put in as many vegetables as the Japanese do. The broth was really good, though.
While we were eating, a gentleman came into the shop. The couple greeted him warmly and introduced us. He has come to the shop for dinner almost every night for years. We had to squish together even tighter and grab another chair from the back to make room for him in the tiny shop.
He was a very nice gentleman and we enjoyed his company as well. He ate quicker than our little ones and as a parting gift, he bought a bag of the couple's homemade Okinawan doughnuts for us. He said it was to welcome us to the island. We were touched by his generosity.
As we prepared to leave, the couple gave each of the boys a sea shell. They had told us sometime during our conversation with them that they thought Ray was so rich and powerful because he had produced 3 sons. (I couldn't help but be a little irritated during this conversation....they kept going on and on about how powerful Ray was since he could produce three sons. Funny, I thought I gave birth to them! Silly me!) The couple thought that having three sons was such a special thing, that they gave each of the boys a shell. The boys were pretty excited, but the girls couldn't help but feel a little left out.
Apparently, boys are of greater value in the Okinawan culture! Maybe it is a similar thought to that of the Japanese. In Japan, daughters and sons are valued equally, but having a son ensures your security in your golden years. It is up to the sons to provide financially for their parents after they retire. Because we have three sons, many Japanese often tell us that we are rich. Maybe Okinawa people have a similar thought toward their sons.
We really enjoyed our dinner in a run down and cramped ramen shop! The generosity and friendship that was sent our way during our meal made it a great memory of our short time on this island.
No comments:
Post a Comment