The land of the non existent fruits and veggies...

Living abroad has challenges. It presents us with new ways of living, learning to understand a new language, adapting to the local customs and cultures, and learning to enjoy the food. Well, here in Okinawa, things are a little different. The houses are very much modernized and built to American standards (our house for example,) is four stories, four bedrooms and three baths, with about 2,000 square feet. HUGE in Japan, and definitely not a home that a traditional Japanese family would live in. The food is amazing, and being able to have the freshest fish and seafood at my fingertips makes me very happy!

What doesn't make me happy about living here? Well, besides being 14,000 miles away from family and friends and dealing with typhoons... Not having FRUIT. Yes, FRUIT. Japan has extremely strict import laws which prohibits the Military from shipping in certain types of fruits and veggies from the states. And, if we are lucky enough to have some make it past customs? Well, they are REALLY EXPENSIVE. Like the cost of dinner for two people expensive. Yes, that bad. Here's a few of the fruits we cannot get here, followed by the ones we can get and how much we pay for them.

Red Delicious Apples: Nope, can't get these here. They got dressed up for the party, but they aren't getting in.

Granny Smith Apples: Nope, not joining the party either.
Jalapenos: We get these in the Commissary, but we pay $12.99/ lb for them!! Want Habaneros? Fork over $14.99/lb!
Delicious, tart, red plums: Denied entrance to the party.
Strawberries: We get these, but pay $9.00/lb for them...

Also not allowed access to the party: Peaches, pears, yukon gold potatoes (The potatoes here SUCK!) yellow squash, mandarin oranges, tomatoes that don't rot a day after you pick them up, normal looking carrots... The Japanese carrots are HUGE and look like a sex toy. I'm not kidding!! The cucumbers are thin and tiny (hehe ;) and they taste a little bitter to me. I have begun to purchase my produce at the local markets and the tomatoes are gorgeous!! What I wouldn't do for some a crisp, juicy, and tart granny smith apple! Oh well. Suck it up, buttercup!