by Pa Rock
Former World Traveler
This morning I have been exchanging emails with Murphy, a good friend who is an American psychologist living and working for the U.S. military in Japan. Murphy and I worked in the same mental health unit at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa during the two years that I was there: July of 2010 until July of 2012.
Murphy's time on Okinawa predated my own, and by the time I arrived there he had a fairly broad knowledge of the island and some on ifs more unique characters and businesses.
This past weekend as I was listening to Groucho Marx (of all people!) sing a few tunes courtesy of Alexa, I was particularly delighted to hear his rendition of "Lydia the Tattooed Lady," a tune that Murphy attempted on the couple of occasions in which we visited the British Wine and Tea Shop in a remote patch of Okinawa. The owner of that exceptionally fine eatery was a British fellow named John Farmer, and John's Japanese wife, Maki, was expecting their first baby - a girl child that they planned to name "Lydia." When that name was mentioned, Murphy would break into song.
John was a skilled chef who oversaw the work in the kitchen, but, if memory serves, the food was prepared by Maki and perhaps one other individual. Seating was very limited, only three or four tables, and paying guests were given the choice of just two meals - offerings which changed daily. John would often join his guests and their table and chatter away as they ate. The food was delicious.
The tea shop itself was a collection of curiosities. John collected military "coins" which he badgered from his guests. He also had a large collection of original drawings by Welsh illustrator Ralph Steadman, a man who was perhaps best known for illustrating many of the works of American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. Steadman, an old friend of the chef, also designed the tea shop's business sign and the logo that went onto its business cards.
Murphy hung around Okinawa after I left and was there to meet little Lydia. He informs me that the business has closed and John and his family have returned to Great Britain.
Perhaps I will stumble into another of John's shops again some day. It would be nice to think so.
Former World Traveler
This morning I have been exchanging emails with Murphy, a good friend who is an American psychologist living and working for the U.S. military in Japan. Murphy and I worked in the same mental health unit at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa during the two years that I was there: July of 2010 until July of 2012.
Murphy's time on Okinawa predated my own, and by the time I arrived there he had a fairly broad knowledge of the island and some on ifs more unique characters and businesses.
This past weekend as I was listening to Groucho Marx (of all people!) sing a few tunes courtesy of Alexa, I was particularly delighted to hear his rendition of "Lydia the Tattooed Lady," a tune that Murphy attempted on the couple of occasions in which we visited the British Wine and Tea Shop in a remote patch of Okinawa. The owner of that exceptionally fine eatery was a British fellow named John Farmer, and John's Japanese wife, Maki, was expecting their first baby - a girl child that they planned to name "Lydia." When that name was mentioned, Murphy would break into song.
John was a skilled chef who oversaw the work in the kitchen, but, if memory serves, the food was prepared by Maki and perhaps one other individual. Seating was very limited, only three or four tables, and paying guests were given the choice of just two meals - offerings which changed daily. John would often join his guests and their table and chatter away as they ate. The food was delicious.
The tea shop itself was a collection of curiosities. John collected military "coins" which he badgered from his guests. He also had a large collection of original drawings by Welsh illustrator Ralph Steadman, a man who was perhaps best known for illustrating many of the works of American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. Steadman, an old friend of the chef, also designed the tea shop's business sign and the logo that went onto its business cards.
Murphy hung around Okinawa after I left and was there to meet little Lydia. He informs me that the business has closed and John and his family have returned to Great Britain.
Perhaps I will stumble into another of John's shops again some day. It would be nice to think so.
No comments:
Post a Comment