Kate’s Quests

We arrived at Narita International Airport sometime around 4:30pm local time on November 3rd, 2006. Our sponsor picked us up and took us back to the base. It was a quick drive since we were lucky enough to miss traffic. Once we arrived at the base we checked into the hotel, dropped the kitties at the kennel (yes I sobbed) and got some dinner (breakfast?). It was the middle of the night for us having left from Seattle, but we ate anyway and then went to bed. When morning time came we took our time (it was Saturday) and found our way around the base. We quickly discovered that this base (Yokosuka) has a McDonald’s, Subway, two Mean Gene’s (a burger joint we were all too familiar with, thank you Rota, Spain), Dunkin‘ Donuts, A&W, Long John Silver’s, Popeye’s, Cinnabon, and they’re working on a Chili’s. Can you say mini-America?

After a couple of nights in the lodge we went to dinner at our sponsor’s place. He introduced us to his real estate agent, Fusako who let us know that she had a place in mind for us. We quickly made time to go see it and by Tuesday of that week, we had decided to take it. Then we just had to get through the AOB/ICR class. It’s basically the military’s version of orientation and culture intro. And it’s mandatory. You have to take the class to get your license, so be it. In that class I met Shara, an active duty military member who is on another ship. She’s very sweet and we’ve done some sightseeing together.

So, after the class finished and the license was gotten, we moved in. Note the picture from our balcony. We still haven’t completely finished unpacking or put everything away, but we’re getting there. I’m getting there. DJ is out on a mini-cruise, but he won’t be gone long.

There are so many things to get used to in Japan. One, the slippers. No shoes are allowed on in the house. It’s even in our lease! Two, the trash. They are waaaay into recycling here. I have a separate bag for just about everything. A bag for plastics, a bag for metal, a bag for paper, a bag for cardboard, a bag for magazines, a bag for food, a bag for Styrofoam, a bag for batteries, etc. Heated toilet seats. At first I thought that they were really strange, but now I can’t imagine how Americans can do without them. Nothing like walking into a cold bathroom to sit upon a nice warm seat. It makes the fact that they don’t have central air a little more comfortable.