Final Presentation at OIC

2007-2008 AMT Course
Okinawa, Japan

Lito from Philippines

Tebao from Kiribati

Kanykey from Kyrgyztan

Dima from Kyrgyztan

Iyad from Palestine

Claudia from Bolivia

Yousef from Iran

Javier from Panama

Ariel from Argentina

Ale from Argentina

Tropical Beach - Okinawa City

Where the Sky Meets the Soul: A Day at Tropical Beach, Okinawa March 8, 2024

Some days come and go, forgotten like grains of sand washed away by the tide. But March 8, 2024, stood still — a shimmering pause in time — when I found myself standing at the edge of the Pacific, staring out at the infinite blue of Tropical Beach in Okinawa City.

It was the kind of morning poets try to write about and never quite capture. The sun rose like it had something to prove — gilding the sky in gold, scattering warm light across the crystal-clear shoreline. The breeze carried the scent of salt, peace, and something ancient... something deeply Okinawan.

I wasn’t alone — but the beach made me feel like I was exactly where I needed to be.

Locals jogged past with friendly nods. Children chased waves. Couples strolled with sun hats and soft laughter. And there I was — a curious soul far from home, caught between awe and gratitude.

The sand was warm and soft, like Okinawa’s gentle hospitality. The ocean? A moving mirror that seemed to reflect more than clouds — it mirrored memory, longing, healing.

Tropical Beach wasn’t just a destination. It was a conversation between nature and nostalgia. I stood still and listened. And it spoke — of battles fought and peace reclaimed, of cultures blended, of a people who never forgot how to smile even when storms hit their shores.

I dipped my feet in the water and let the waves play around my ankles. No schedule, no deadline — just the present moment. The kind that reminds you you’re alive.

We had lunch under the shade of palm trees, the sun still dancing above like a carefree child. The laughter of friends, the rhythm of the tide, the calm in my chest — I wanted to bottle it all and carry it with me.

By the time the sun began its slow descent, casting amber reflections on the water, I knew I was walking away with more than sand in my shoes. I had a story. A quiet one. A powerful one.

Tropical Beach, on that quiet March 8, taught me that paradise isn’t just a place — It’s a feeling you find when your mind lets go, When your heart opens up, And when you let the sea remind you how small — and how infinite — you really are.

These are the pictures I personally took at the Tropical Beach, Okinawa City

using my Canon IXY Digital 91015. I hope you'll like it.

The Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life?

"Taking pain," said the nail.
"Keeping cool," said the ice.
"Driving hard," said the hammer.
"Being up to date," said the calendar.
"Being sharp," said the knife.
"Making light around you," said the fire.
"Sticking to it," said the glue.
"Being bright," said the lamp.
"Being on time," said the clock.
"Saving a drop," said the faucet.

And best of all"Learning from it,"said the mistake.

- Quotes Alive

Photos of Travels to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

Three Cities, One Unforgettable Journey: My Observation Tour in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka February 22, 2008

Some dates in life feel ordinary. Others — like February 22, 2008 — feel like a snapshot of something bigger. That day marked the beginning of a journey I’ll never forget — a week-long Observation Tour across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka with my fellow JICA scholars. And no, it wasn’t just another field trip — it was a kaleidoscope of discovery, insight, laughter, and living history.

Tokyo: Where Tradition and Technology Shake Hands
We began our adventure at the Tokyo International Center, nestled right in the beating heart of the metropolis. Tokyo was a sensory overload in the best way — neon lights against ancient shrines, bullet trains next to cherry trees. We even got to stroll through one of Tokyo’s famous parks — a quiet, sacred corner in the midst of a city that never sleeps. The air was crisp, the trees stood tall and stoic, and time seemed to slow down for a moment. It wasn’t just sightseeing — it was soul-soothing.

The city taught us about precision, politeness, and how technology can coexist with deep-rooted culture. Even ordering ramen felt like a ceremony.

Kyoto: Where History Breathes
Next stop: the Kyoto International Center, our base while exploring the former imperial capital. Kyoto was a living museum — every street, every alley, every temple whispered stories centuries old. We wandered through stunning shrines, admired timeless wooden houses, and glimpsed into the graceful world of the geisha.

But beyond the postcard-perfect views, Kyoto gave us a sense of continuity — a deep understanding of how the past continues to shape the present. It felt like walking through a storybook, only this one smelled like incense and echoed with the footsteps of samurai and scholars.

Osaka: Where Energy Meets Heart
We wrapped up our tour in Osaka, based at the Osaka International Center. If Tokyo was sharp and sleek, and Kyoto was reflective and regal — Osaka was all heart and flavor. It welcomed us with open arms, loud laughter, and street food that deserves its own religion. Takoyaki, okonomiyaki — name it, we tried it!

Osaka didn’t try to impress us. It simply was. Honest. Humble. Hilarious. Our conversations grew louder, our friendships deeper, and our laughs longer. It was a fitting finale — a celebration of the journey, the people, and the joy of learning outside the classroom.

Looking back, that Observation Tour was more than a study visit. It was a pilgrimage of perspectives. We saw the many faces of Japan — from stoic elegance to unapologetic modernity, from structured order to unfiltered charm. And we saw those cities not as tourists, but as curious minds with open hearts, guided by the spirit of exchange and understanding.

To my fellow JICA scholars: thank you for the shared stories, the inside jokes, and the moments that didn’t make it to photos but etched themselves into memory.

Three cities. Countless lessons. One journey that changed me forever.

NHK Tokyo, Japan with Dimitrii from Kyrgyztan

Tokyo Tower

Me with Kanykey from Kyrgyztan at Tokyo Disneyland

NIME Tokyo, Japan with my friends at Okinawa