The Recruiting Poster said, I Could “Join The Navy and See The World.” So I Did.

The Recruiting Poster said, I Could Join The Navy and See The World. So I Did.

Us Navy World Traveler

Two experiences marked my time in the Navy far above anything else. Living in Okinawa, Japan and then in Djibouti, Africa. I lived in Okinawa, Japan for 3 years. I’m active duty Navy, and when the opportunity came up I couldn’t believe it. I’d wanted to live in Japan for quite some time but it just didn’t seem like it would happen, until I saw those orders for Okinawa, Japan.

People say that the culture is the best thing about living and traveling abroad. I agree that experiencing new cultures is an opportunity of a lifetime. But the best part of living in Okinawa was the people. They were friendly, gracious and often smiling. The children, though, were the best of all. They would see me, know I was a foreigner and stare. Bottom jaw dropped, looking like they were trying to figure out “Who is this woman and where did she come from?”

This picture was taken outside of my apartment. A little girl stopped dead in her tracks and stared while I walked to my car in uniform. Her mother noticed she was missing and came to shoo her into the car. She also smiled and waved, then got the little girl to wave as well. I waved back and laughed afterwards, remembering how dead set that little girl was on trying to figure out who I was and where I’d come from.

Fast forward to 2012 – 2013 in Djibouti, Africa. The Djiboutians knew I was American but still called me their sister! I had the privilege of traveling to Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya while I was there. They thought I was a citizen of their respective countries until I engaged them in conversation. I thought it was a compliment because they’re some of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen in my life. I couldn’t get over how a few would walk right up to me and start speaking in Swahili, then looked in disbelief when I talked back in English only.

The children in Africa were also the best part of my experience there. In Uganda, we couldn’t drive, so as a passenger, I was able to completely enjoy my surroundings while we were in the car. A group of small children must have just let out of school because they ran to our car, waving and smiling. The children in Djibouti were passionate and opinionated. I volunteered a few times at the English schools they had and was amazed at how quickly they learned the language and how strong they were in their beliefs. They would argue with anyone who believed otherwise! They had no problems asking you about yourself or challenging you on why you believed what you believed. I thought to myself “These children are NOT afraid”.

I guess you could say that as a single woman who desires to marry and have children one day, interacting with children of different cultures was eye-opening. Or perhaps I saw a little of myself in

these children – curious, eager to learn new things, and sold on particular beliefs. Whatever it was, I encourage you to find opportunities to interact with children in a safe way when you travel. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll experience and probably even see yourself and the world in a new light.

Afi Pittman is an author and radio show host. She is also active duty Navy and has traveled the world and lived abroad. Her company, Author of Faith Enterprises helps today’s single woman to prepare for marriage while living happy, single lives.

Link: http://www.authorofmyfaith.com/home