Travel Photo: Gara Stone Bridge in Uruma City Okinawa, Japan

Gara Bridge may be one of the oldest bridges in Okinawa, Japan.

It is Uruma City Cultural Asset #17  "Architecture" according to a sign posted nearby.

Originally, it was a wooden bridge built for the safety of children going to school.

That was back in the days when an Emperor of Japan sat on the throne.

Fearing  a good downpour could wash the structure away, it was redesigned, as you see it today.

Five meters high, five meters long and two meters wide, this bridge was built in 1928.

Architects like this stone arch bridge.

That's because, they say, the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Note to locals: Map It Okinawa will have to show you how to find this gem.

Meanwhile, I'll be bugging  Uruma City to see where all the rest of their cultural assets are hidden.

A Travel Photo: Whatcha Think You're Doin' Back There Mr ?

Today's Travel Photo Thursday shot was taken by RyukyuRu, unbeknownst to me.

But, I'm glad he emailed it today because it's a good example of something we forget as foreigners, sometimes, when we're out and about with our cameras.

People are watching you !

The photo was taken at an athletic field in Uruma City Okinawa, Japan.

A couple of teachers had a bunch of schoolkids out on a field trip.

They ain't exactly the kind of wildlife I was looking forward to shooting.

So, I went around behind the building where there was some shade.

There I was, facing the ocean, just getting ready to uncover my camera.

Not only was I clueless about the photo, I didn't know that kid was watching me, either.

He very well could have been saying, "Whatcha think you're doin' back there Mr ?"