While catching up on the BlogWorld i read this lovely post about an Expat to Expat Q&A series brought to you by Belinda and Bailie! As i kept reading through the questions on Found Love, Now What? i thought, i want to answer these! So here i am joining in on August’s installment of Expat to Expat Q&A and linking up with these lovely ladies!
1. What’s your favorite food store in your city and why?
We usually get all of our groceries at the Commisary, which is the grocery store on base but i feel like that doesn’t count! My favorite place off-base is this awesome farmer’s market pictured above! They have so many fresh produce locally grown and you certainly can’t beat the prices, especially for fruits!! You can either get imported/expensive fruits close to their expiration date on base or fresh/cheap fruits off-base, that’s when places like these come in very handy!
2. For your answer to number 1 is it ok to buy the store brand items or do you pay extra for a name brand?
I buy name brands when shopping on base, but off base you have no choice but to buy local items! Which i love.
3. What do you think is the best way to get about your city? ie. bus, bike, car, etc.
Well, i think a car is the best way to get around but most japanese would probably say a bike or a scooter is the best way, because for them it’s expensive/tedious to get a drivers license and a car! Okinawa also has a good bus system and if you’re American you can also use The Green Line, which is a bus line that goes from base-to-base all over the island :). Intended for single military members but everybody can ride along.
4. Which store to you turn for basics like toilet paper or cleaning supplies?
The Exchange or AAFES, which are stores on base! It’s great to be able to buy american items in Japan! Definitely gives us a piece of home while living overseas! I work at the biggest store on island (pictured above, on the left)
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5. Where do you think is the best place in your city to get a cup of coffee (or beverage you prefer) and catch up with friends?
My friends and i used to meet at Climax Coffee at American Village, but we just found a great new coffee shop on the Sunabe Sea Wall called Coffee Casa and they have an amazing menu! But i’d say my favorite place to catch up with friends is Cactus Eatrip or Little Cactus, bagel shops!
6. What was your “eureka, i’m practically a native” moment?
The only thing i can think of is being able to drive somewhere and back without getting lost or using Siri. Also, giving directions anywhere! Because i don’t speak/understand the language i don’t think i’ll have a “i’m practically a native” moment, but i love knowing my way around and also recommending places to people.
7. Does your real accent get in the way?
I don’t speak japanese, so i would say no, haha! But english is my second language and this my first time living in a place where i have to speak english all of the time and sometimes without thinking i’ll randomly say things in spanish or think of some phrases in spanish and stutter while trying to translate what i want to say. Most of the times i don’t have a problem but sometimes it’s a challenge.
If you’re a fellow expat feel free to answer these questions and link up, here!
