As I leave Japan, having spent 5 days in Okinawa, I am struck by so many things. Here are a few worth, I hope, sharing. 1. In Okinawa, Americans are not welcomed still in many ways. And except when on a US military base, there is a sense of American imperialism, where we have overtaken an island not our own. As Americans we are used to being seen as “top dog”, so it is important I think to recognize that other peoples are not always fond of us — for good and bad reasons. 2. I have traveled near and far but few places feel as foreign and with so little English as Okinawa. Were I stationed there, I would learn their language — not only to navigate but to show respect. Not just hello and goodbye. 3. The local Okinawa crafts, found in hidden places on the island, represent amazing artisans, many of whom are not frequented by Americans. Americans tend to go to “touristy” places, theme parks with fake crafts. It is different to see weavers weaving and smell the wet clay and see the glass blowers blowing. And buying that art, whether or not objectively valuable, has enormous value in terms of personal cultural artifacts and connection to people and place. Watch for installment two! …see more