☀️ This Morning in Urasoe: 22°C and Sunny
Good morning.
This morning in Urasoe, it’s **22°C and sunny**, with a gentle southerly breeze blowing, enveloping us in the pleasant atmosphere typical of Golden Week. According to the weather forecast, **today is the last sunny day of the holiday weekend**. Since cloudy and rainy weather is expected starting tomorrow, I couldn’t let this precious day go to waste, so I started the washing machine as soon as I woke up.
This is the second day in a row I’ve done laundry, but I wanted to make the most of the sun’s power, so I looked around the room and gathered up even items I’d “worn just once” to throw into the machine. The load wasn’t huge, but knowing “it’s sunny only until today,” I just had to do it—and the moment I pressed the button, I felt a sense of relief.
🍞 Breakfast and Mom’s Relaxing Time
While the laundry was running, I prepared breakfast. As usual, I had **Nakayoshi bread and coffee**, and for Mom, I prepared **bread, green tea, and a banana**. Mom ate only half of her bread, took her medicine, and said, “I’m going to sleep a little longer,” before heading back to bed. It looks like she’ll be resting peacefully until around noon.
In the meantime, the laundry finished, so I hung it out on the balcony, ran the dishwasher, and gave the sink a quick wipe-down. Just as I was finally able to catch my breath, I looked up at the clear sky and felt a wave of positivity wash over me: “I’ll tackle whatever I can get done today.”
🚗 Car Battery Issues and Okinawa’s “Car Culture”
Something that’s been on my mind lately is the car battery. The other day, when I tried to start the engine, the response was a split second slow, and the power windows were sluggish too… I figured it was the battery, so I immediately ordered the same model, **65B24L**, on Amazon. It’s scheduled to arrive after the long weekend, so if I replace it, I should be able to make it in time for my mother’s regular checkup.
In Okinawa, cars are central to daily life. Without a car, it’s really difficult to get to the hospital or go shopping.
When I lived in Kyoto, I could go anywhere by bicycle, but Okinawa has almost no bicycle culture, and there are very few bike racks even at monorail stations. The parking spaces at San-A and Kanehido are also geared toward motorcycles, giving the impression that bicycles aren’t really taken into account.
During the long weekend, the number of people using rental bikes increases, but since there are few places to park them, it’s safer to secure them with a cable to handrails or guardrails.
💻 Setting Up a New Computer Environment with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
Another task for the long weekend was setting up my computer environment.
My old laptop ran Windows 10, and since upgrading to Windows 11 was too difficult, I bought a used PC and did a clean install. I decided to install **Ubuntu 26.04 LTS** on the now-empty Windows 10 machine.
I’m still struggling to get used to it, but since there’s software exclusive to Linux, I think I’ll be able to enjoy using it by switching between systems depending on the task. A new environment can be confusing, but it’s also exciting.
🌿 Summary: Making the Most of the Sunny Break on the Last Day of the Holiday
Today in Urasoe, we’re blessed with a rare sunny day.
I have a lot on my plate—laundry, housework, setting up the computer, and getting the car ready—but the sunlight is giving me a boost, and I’m making good progress.
My mother is also taking it easy, so I plan to spend the afternoon at a comfortable pace and make the most of this final day of the long weekend.
I hope you all have a wonderful day and stay safe from injuries and accidents.
These cooling body wipes are perfect for Okinawa’s warm and humid Golden Week weather. Even early in the morning, the humidity can rise quickly, especially when doing laundry or running errands. A single wipe instantly refreshes your skin and removes sweat, making outdoor tasks much more comfortable. They’re also great to keep in your bag when accompanying family members to the hospital or grocery store.
A UPF 50+ foldable sun hat is essential during Golden Week in Okinawa, when UV levels are extremely high. The wide brim protects your face and neck while hanging laundry, walking to the store, or taking your mother to appointments. Because it folds easily, you can keep it in your bag without taking up space—perfect for sudden outings or strong midday sunshine.
