Orchids

Being fourteen hours ahead of Miami, after breakfast we watched Suoerbowl LXIV on our iPad. The only glitch was it kept trying to switch to the AirBnB’s slow WiFi rather than use the unlimited data streaming we have on our new Sprint phone plans. At least the salesman said it was unlimited. After we’d watched Shakira and JLo rock the half time show and the Kansas City Chiefs best the San Francisco Forty-miners 31-20, we headed towards the Dream Center Botanical Gardens.

This is not a quick process. Remi needs a nurse about every hour which includes a diaper change. If we’re lucky we can get him into his car seat before he needs the cycle started again. At the same time, Bella needs to be diapered, dressed, shod, and snacked. We four adults can just about manage this plus make breakfast and do the dishes.

We made it to the Diason (think dollar store) to buy coffee cups and to the Aeon grocery store to pick up takeout for lunch. Remi needed another food/diaper cycle before we could leave the parking lot. Bella wants a snack, Grant sees the restroom. A slow beginning.

Okinawa International Orchid Show Entrance

The orchid-lined arch entryway to the Okinawa International Orchid Show just barely prepared us for the displays of cut flowers, growing plants, table designs, wedding bouquets, flower arrangements, and growers’ booths. In the background were the usual baskets of orchid plants in each of the green houses. Our slow start and my desire to read almost every label resulted in our being the last party through the exhibit, with smiling workers walking behind us, slowly herding us out. We didn’t get to see the plants grown by elementary school children, but I think the staff would have rebelled if we had turned to that display area. Even the parking lot attendants lost enthusiasm as we sat in the car while Mary topped of Remi.