Dear friends,
Last month, five members of the Amazing Care Network based in Honolulu, went on a tour of Okinawa specifically to better understand how and why people in certain villages live long and healthy lives. You may remember that Okinawa is one of five places in the world designated as a Blue Zone where there are more centenarians than your average place. I’ve attached photos from our trip.
The tour was curated by JTB, who understood our interest and purpose and designed the trip accordingly. The highlight of the trip for me was visiting, exercising and dancing with 9 members of Ogimi Village, all women over the age of 92. While we communicated through an interpreter, we all came away with a much deeper appreciation for how these seniors view and live their lives (they didn’t think what they did was anything special.)
Look closely at the group photo. The seniors are seated in front with a full head of beautiful grey hair. Except for one person, each lives alone and independently. Each one has a garden that provides all the veggies and fruits they need; The garden takes up a lot of time and energy to maintain (they don’t need to go to a gym; they are it every day!)
The one person who is not a widow left our meeting on a bike. She was in a hurry to go home and cook lunch (she is 92 years old!). There is a photo of her about to take off on her bike.
Besides physically active lives and mostly plant-based food to nourish them, they have an important element for healthy living, and that is a purpose in life. From what I understood, each is committed to helping members of their community through whatever difficulties they may encounter, including the physical frailties that accompany old age. Each has dealt with children and grandchildren leaving the village for work opportunities in cities far from this village. And yet, we all felt their positive energy despite what seems to me a challenging environment.
We were also briefed by the head of the tourist bureau responsible for this village. The leader warned us that visits like ours require sensitivity to the customs and values of the group. Thanks to Jean Kumamoto and Claire Yamashiro, we came with small gifts as a token of our appreciation. Claire also led the entire group to learning and dancing a traditional hula (see photo). I think the lesson is to be a part of the experience and not view the residents as interesting and curious folks to look at.
I’m grateful to Lena Young and Kathy Inkinen for making this tour happen, to Claire and Jean for their attention to our role as visitors, to Vivian Todo, Sharon Ohara, Bob and Juliana Glaza for joining us and to Yukari Marsh for her excellent command of Okinawan history and culture. Yukari was a phenomenal tour guide!
I’m not being paid by the Okinawan Ministry of Tourism when I say this: If you have a chance to visit Okinawa and learn more about this Blue Zone, I would highly encourage you to do so.
Best,
Cora
