Farewell Blue Beater...

The Blue Beater has been our old, ugly (yet strangely utilitarian) van since we landed on island.  It's the vehicle that our sponsor picked us up in, and the vehicle that's carted us all over this island on some excellent adventures.  But sadly, the Beater's time came to an end.  About a month ago, a strange noise started coming from the rear quarter of the old girl, and the news from the auto doc was not good.  The repairs were more than she was worth, so we had to opt to put her down.

Here in Okinawa, it's not uncommon to have to "junk" your car.  After all, when you're driving a 15 year old car, it's to be expected.  And "junk" is what we had to do with the Blue Beater.  So after farewell photos with all our friends, we drove her down to the junkyard.  Except they don't pile up rusted out hulls here like they do in the States, instead they recycle the metal and other parts.  The "junkyard" is an elaborate set up where all big metal things end up - washers, refrigerators, cars, etc.  The process is very efficient: pull the vehicle onto a giant scale to be weighed and then get a ticket with how much they will pay you for it.  Go inside the building, wait in line and then get cash money for the car - about $650 for the old Beater!  Brilliant!

So the Beater will be sadly missed (by me, at least, as I get sentimental about my car), but will soon have a replacement...

The family with the Beater.

The neighbors celebrating the Beater with us!

Emmy and Lydia helping me drive her (only in the parking lot, don't worry!)