Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

  So I like Okinawa as it is a  backwards gateway to childhood culinary delight. What I mean is that folks here eat a lot of SPAM and Corned Beef without shame. In grey, green, greasy 1950’s Britain where I … Continue reading →

So I am now an advanced life form having completed the final test for my Advanced Open Water Diver qualification. This evolutionary leap takes place at Sunabe, where you move from Gas Station forecourt to incredible soft coral reef in … Continue reading →

So I write this at 9:30 pm. The temperature in the room is 30 degrees with 75% humidity. Summer is really here in Okinawa. The temperature essentially does not change- it hovers around 30 degrees day and night. At night … Continue reading →

Another important crop in Yomitan is the purple sweet potato (紅いも beni imo?), if not for its value as a cash crop then as part of the local culture and tourist industry; the town promotes itself as the “beni imo hometown” (紅いもの里 beni imo … Continue reading →

So as time goes by one wonders from time to time if one has lost the touch. Has your moment  passed or as the bard has it: That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or … Continue reading →

I previously played music in a bar in Marseille where there were sometimes 5 banjos. The banjo goes, danka, danka, danka, clanga, clanga, clanga, danka, danka, danka danka, clanga,  dank, clanga, clanga.  5 together made me lose my will to live. … Continue reading →

So I am now an official member of the band “The Islanders” Okinawa’s top Irish Traditional Music combo. We are 5 – Maho incredible fiddler and the best front end in the business – Yokay, also on fiddle and smile, … Continue reading →

Sunday after lunch is time to go for a walk. Not the overcoat the umbrella, the wellington boots but the tank of air, the fins, the mask. Just a couple of minutes from the apartment I have located a secret … Continue reading →

So through good luck I stumbled into the world of Shinman Yamada. https://quietripple.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/harry-potter/ We organized an exhibition at my place of work of ‘Hamon’ – ‘Ripple’ in English, his take on life entering the primeval sludge. These are 11 very … Continue reading →

So yesterday was the best day in my life recently. Many best laid plans did not gang agley and there were surprise events that injected unexpected happiness and joy. A visit to my place of work by the illustrious senior … Continue reading →