Friday, July 19, 2013
Base lodging--a peek
For those that want to know what Temporary Lodging Facilities (TLF) looks like on Kadena Air Base here is an example. We arrived late on a Saturday night and have a 2 week reservation. That DOES NOT mean we will have housing unfortunately. It means we have to move hotels because of the high season in travel there is no space at this place or any other lodging here on Kadena. Eeek. So we may be in a Japanese hotel soon. Here's what you can expect at Hershey TLF at least: This is a 2 bedroom queen "lock off"
We moved the couch because the room has hardwire internet only and it was behind the couch. Annoying. So we rearranged dome furniture. Queen bed one. One bathroom in this room and...
A weird left over non functioning kitchen. No fridge or stove but they did put the microwave in here.
Kids bathroom.
Other room in the lock off. We moved the couch to squeeze in the crib. The hotel SUPPLIES the high chair and pack n plays (although this PnP is mine).
The kitchen. Full size fridge. Stove. Coffee maker, dishes, etc. Huge table.
This is the playroom downstairs!
I'm really hoping we get housing so we can move straight from here...but its looking increasingly unlikely. Housing brief was Monday, by Friday they said they would call us on Monday again...so we'll see.
Base Eating--and a show;)
We had a little family dinner on base the other night. This is the view from the Tee House restaurant on Kadena AB. It overlooks he South China Sea side of the island and you can watch the jets take off if you are lucky. And we were!
Our view with Dinner Sun Dips into the Ocean.
Daddy carried E up all the steps to the restaurant in his car seat, but it was worth it since he slept the whole time!
N Waving goodbye to the Okinawan sun.
You can just make out the air wing. Sorry for the crudy iphone photos!
Waiting for the jets--they were lining up
The jets starting to take off for a night run.
Apparently this is N's idea of hill surfing.
While this was a great view the food was good--average sandwiches and some cakes etc, for dessert. They also serve beer and wine. With the base restrictions about drinking alcohol though (this is due to some serious incidents involving unruly Marines etc. on the island) Active duty military are only allowed 2 drinks, with dinner from the hours of 6 to 10. NO OFF BASE purchase of alcohol at all!!! So lets just say a nice glass of wine or beer on base is appreciated with my sunset ;)
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Exploring the Island-Beach
It was GORGEOUS. The water, the sky, just as I'd dreamed it would be. In Monterey the Pacific was so cold you couldn't put a toe in it. Here, it was warm like bathwater. E woke up just in time to play for awhile. I slathered both boys with sunscreen and then N got on his snorkle mask and swam out to the rocks with his friend.
Headed to the beach on Okinawa's East side--Pacific Ocean. The other side is the South China Sea.
All was well until about 25 minutes in. N went to get out of the water and said "Ow it stings!!!" My friend and I arrived just in time to see the clear body and blue tentacles of a jellyfish. After scooping him out of the water and listening to him howl some more--I realized there was still a blue, thin tentacle attached. I grabbed a banana leaf and pulled it off. After reading on the internet we determined the jelly was a Okinawan Box Jelly. Not nice stuff either--really scary stuff if it was too big. Which it wasn't.
All was well until about 25 minutes in. N went to get out of the water and said "Ow it stings!!!" My friend and I arrived just in time to see the clear body and blue tentacles of a jellyfish. After scooping him out of the water and listening to him howl some more--I realized there was still a blue, thin tentacle attached. I grabbed a banana leaf and pulled it off. After reading on the internet we determined the jelly was a Okinawan Box Jelly. Not nice stuff either--really scary stuff if it was too big. Which it wasn't.
Showing me the red marks on his arm.
I'm ok! Brave kid;)
So we loaded all the kids up and went on down to Aeon, the closest Japanese grocery store. My friend went in while I kept all the wet, gross kids in the car and she purchased some Japanese vinegar. No small feat for a women who can't speak the language or read it! Once we popped the bottle open and sniffed, we were sure it was the right stuff! We poured it over N's arm. All was well! NO ER trip necessary. Which is good because what would have topped our record for going to the hospital just after moving. I think our current record is 1 week. It still stands!
After that...Nathan decided to crash out. Jet lag and a jellyfish will get you every time.
Starting to explore--First meal
So after the crazy arrival in Japan via the "Patriot Express" last Saturday we have been here almost a week. We went out almost right away and did a few things with friends that at least might excite my kid about being in a foreign country--because I don't think looking at lemon lot cars, hitting the commissary and exchange (post grocery store and mall) was cutting it.
So sunday night we went out in town and ate at a cute Ramen restaurant. It's the kind where you put your money in vending machine and pick it out based on pictures (well at least WE do because I can't read Kanji!) and it gives you a ticket. Then you sit and that ticket is printed out for the cook to make your food and it is brought to your table. I has some AMAZING Don-buri (mixed rice, beef, tofu and veggie bowl) and Dad had Katsu-curry (potatoes, veggies, meat in curry sauce) while N had Tonkatsu. (essentially breaded pork chop with an awesome soy sauce). It had tatami mats and floor tables on the edges of the restaurant but our group was too big with 4 kids and 4 adults so we sat in a Western style table.
The boys waiting for their food--you can see the couple in the back using the ticket machine to order.
N is still SOOOOO jet lagged---but his friend is showing him how to chow down on SOBA noodles.
Dad and E wait for their food. Evan had his first touchy-Feely moment with the owner. She of course touched his hair and face and talked with him. The Japanese have no qualms about touching children unknown to them. Especially blond ones! E was fine;)
So sunday night we went out in town and ate at a cute Ramen restaurant. It's the kind where you put your money in vending machine and pick it out based on pictures (well at least WE do because I can't read Kanji!) and it gives you a ticket. Then you sit and that ticket is printed out for the cook to make your food and it is brought to your table. I has some AMAZING Don-buri (mixed rice, beef, tofu and veggie bowl) and Dad had Katsu-curry (potatoes, veggies, meat in curry sauce) while N had Tonkatsu. (essentially breaded pork chop with an awesome soy sauce). It had tatami mats and floor tables on the edges of the restaurant but our group was too big with 4 kids and 4 adults so we sat in a Western style table.
Slurp!
Nothing Like Gohan (rice) and Hashi (chopsticks) for a first meal!
mmm...pretty good.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
We're here!
SO I have no idea where to start. We've been on island since Saturday night and I feel like it was a lifetime ago.
Military Air Hell
The journey here was about as insane a trip as you can ever hope to take with a 7-year old and an 18 month-old in tow. We were supposed to leave on the "Patriot Express" from Sea-Tac, Washington on Friday and arrive Saturday (international dateline at work). Well after arriving on a 9pm flight from Dallas we discovered Typhoon Soulik had changed our plans. We were planning on sleeping at the terminal from 9pm until the 0330 to 0530 check in time...now we were screwed because it was delayed 24 hours. So while Ben picked up our 7 bags and pack n play from baggage with Nathan I went to the USO with the baby strapped to me and frantically called all 30 hotels on the list. Not single one could take us. No room at the Inn so to speak. (it was due to a Seattle to Tacoma bike race in town) This is where the "Military Family" steps in and saves the day. Friends who had recently left Monterey themselves had just moved to Washington. We rang James and Anna up. Despite having JUST GOTTEN their own furniture delivered that day and a mound of boxes, they came and got us and welcomed us into their home, moving their four kids around in the process. To top it all off they fed us and then James got up at 2 in the morning the next morning and dropped us off again at Sea-Tac. Wow.
All the kids crammed around the only movie player we could find...the dvd player we brought with us!
Check in for this little shindig starts at 0330. Yeah that one. The ungodly one, Despite the fact that the flight doesn't leave until 0830. This is a special treat considering we then spent 10.5 hours in the air landing in Yokota, Japan--only to deplane and refuel for 2 hours. Then we reboarded and flew 1.5 hours to Iwakuni, Japan, deplaned again for 2 hours, then flew another hour or so to get to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. If this sounds stupidly impossible with children in tow, I give you the Military's answer: lets put a whole plane load of families and children together for this, cause misery loves company!
There is a play area at Sea-Tac, it's in the main terminal! It's perfect for the military family looking to play off some steam between check in and take off. You have to play here before you ride the tram to the S terminal for the flight.
We arrived in Kadena at dusk and watched the sun depart as we made our way through military customs. Then baggage. THEN they put you through something akin to a cattle chute and announce your name at the door over the loud screams of babies and children and ask for your "sponsor". This is the person who made hotel reservations for you and will now drive you and your family and 2 tons of luggage to your lodging (among other things). I was SOOOO thankful we got an awesome one. Better yet, I was thankful he showed. There were one or two families having a problem finding theirs. YIKES. I tried to be nice and smile, but seriously....I felt dizzy and when we got in out room...I thought I would take a shower and relax...nope. I know it sounds gross but I got the kids in bed, and collapsed. I think I even slept in the same shirt. How awesome is our sponsor? He stocked our hotel room in advance with groceries and milk. He. is. God.
The Kadena Air Base terminal. As you can see there is not much here. There IS A SMALL play area outside of security so make a b line for that and camp out there for an hour if you can. Just give yourself time to get back through base security if you bring bags of the plane. Also--leave the carseat in your seat. You are just getting right back in the same seat.
By Iwakuni N was passed out on the floor. The terminal is ALSO COLD so bring blankets. NOTHING TO DO there either. This one at least has tv on...if you care to watch AFN spots that is.
Our kitchen in our room at the Shogun Inn for the next 2 weeks. It's a strangely large table for a puny room.
MILITARY THINGS TO KNOW: (this section is for people who want to know about what they need for taking the trip...if you don't care, skip it)
1) For check in at the counter WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT TO HAWAIIAN AIRLINES, you need a copy of your dependent AMC letter to give to them among other things ( PCS Orders, Passports, mil IDS). Have it all out and ready.
2)Brings snacks, not really for the main meals, just all the wait times in between. The main Patriot Express ride all the way to Yokota actually serves 2 decent hot meals with sides that kids like: yogurt, bagels etc.
3) They have pillows and blankets and plenty of flight attendants. It's like a normal airline flight--on a 767, just,less frills, insanely long and full of kids.
4) Brings earphones and handsanitizer. Their earphones don't work and neither do their sinks apparently. They use the same plane over and over again. The sinks quit working in flight for us. No water for hand washing.
5) Carseat. We brought ours onboard. It was a lifesaver for us because my child WILL NOT stop squirming if he sat in our lap or in the seat next to us. If your kid is like that, the car seat is a must. Also--without it I never would have been able to eat or drink coffee, water etc.
6) Everyone supposedly HAS to take this flight, but I talked to a Marine Family that didn't. They kept changing their timetable for when they had to be there and then when it got close...lo and behold the Patriot Express was full but they HAD TO be on the island by some date. They flew United direct to Tokyo then to Okinawa. Just a thought;)
We "maybe" slept (if you call nursing one kid on and off, and shuttling other back and forth about 6 times as sleep) and woke on Sunday, oh, about 4:30 am. Really I just threw up the white flag. After waiting until a respectable hour I called my old friend Melissa who was waiting for us to call patiently, and hit the most needed place on the base: the commissary(for you non-mil folk that's the base grocery store) and got the necessities : coffee, coffee creamer, IV. The commissary :
For now I'm gonna stop there. More to come: our first night out in Japan, N gets stung by a Japanese Box Jelly Fish AND shopping for a Japanese car and driving on the left! YEAH!
Military Air Hell
The journey here was about as insane a trip as you can ever hope to take with a 7-year old and an 18 month-old in tow. We were supposed to leave on the "Patriot Express" from Sea-Tac, Washington on Friday and arrive Saturday (international dateline at work). Well after arriving on a 9pm flight from Dallas we discovered Typhoon Soulik had changed our plans. We were planning on sleeping at the terminal from 9pm until the 0330 to 0530 check in time...now we were screwed because it was delayed 24 hours. So while Ben picked up our 7 bags and pack n play from baggage with Nathan I went to the USO with the baby strapped to me and frantically called all 30 hotels on the list. Not single one could take us. No room at the Inn so to speak. (it was due to a Seattle to Tacoma bike race in town) This is where the "Military Family" steps in and saves the day. Friends who had recently left Monterey themselves had just moved to Washington. We rang James and Anna up. Despite having JUST GOTTEN their own furniture delivered that day and a mound of boxes, they came and got us and welcomed us into their home, moving their four kids around in the process. To top it all off they fed us and then James got up at 2 in the morning the next morning and dropped us off again at Sea-Tac. Wow.
Earning our keep by at least unpacking a few boxes for them
N and Clara playing with boxes out in the yard
Surrounded by boxes
Check in for this little shindig starts at 0330. Yeah that one. The ungodly one, Despite the fact that the flight doesn't leave until 0830. This is a special treat considering we then spent 10.5 hours in the air landing in Yokota, Japan--only to deplane and refuel for 2 hours. Then we reboarded and flew 1.5 hours to Iwakuni, Japan, deplaned again for 2 hours, then flew another hour or so to get to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. If this sounds stupidly impossible with children in tow, I give you the Military's answer: lets put a whole plane load of families and children together for this, cause misery loves company!
Nothing like a little 4 am romp on the playground
Boys ready for take off
The military contracted flight was a 767...and it was FULL.
Ready for the next 10.5 hours of the FIRST leg
We arrived in Kadena at dusk and watched the sun depart as we made our way through military customs. Then baggage. THEN they put you through something akin to a cattle chute and announce your name at the door over the loud screams of babies and children and ask for your "sponsor". This is the person who made hotel reservations for you and will now drive you and your family and 2 tons of luggage to your lodging (among other things). I was SOOOO thankful we got an awesome one. Better yet, I was thankful he showed. There were one or two families having a problem finding theirs. YIKES. I tried to be nice and smile, but seriously....I felt dizzy and when we got in out room...I thought I would take a shower and relax...nope. I know it sounds gross but I got the kids in bed, and collapsed. I think I even slept in the same shirt. How awesome is our sponsor? He stocked our hotel room in advance with groceries and milk. He. is. God.
Finally here!!! His eyes are closed because he's happy or tired. Or both.
This one was sound asleep strapped to me.
Thanks to our sponsor---our fridge was ready to go already!
MILITARY THINGS TO KNOW: (this section is for people who want to know about what they need for taking the trip...if you don't care, skip it)
1) For check in at the counter WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT TO HAWAIIAN AIRLINES, you need a copy of your dependent AMC letter to give to them among other things ( PCS Orders, Passports, mil IDS). Have it all out and ready.
2)Brings snacks, not really for the main meals, just all the wait times in between. The main Patriot Express ride all the way to Yokota actually serves 2 decent hot meals with sides that kids like: yogurt, bagels etc.
3) They have pillows and blankets and plenty of flight attendants. It's like a normal airline flight--on a 767, just,less frills, insanely long and full of kids.
4) Brings earphones and handsanitizer. Their earphones don't work and neither do their sinks apparently. They use the same plane over and over again. The sinks quit working in flight for us. No water for hand washing.
5) Carseat. We brought ours onboard. It was a lifesaver for us because my child WILL NOT stop squirming if he sat in our lap or in the seat next to us. If your kid is like that, the car seat is a must. Also--without it I never would have been able to eat or drink coffee, water etc.
6) Everyone supposedly HAS to take this flight, but I talked to a Marine Family that didn't. They kept changing their timetable for when they had to be there and then when it got close...lo and behold the Patriot Express was full but they HAD TO be on the island by some date. They flew United direct to Tokyo then to Okinawa. Just a thought;)
We "maybe" slept (if you call nursing one kid on and off, and shuttling other back and forth about 6 times as sleep) and woke on Sunday, oh, about 4:30 am. Really I just threw up the white flag. After waiting until a respectable hour I called my old friend Melissa who was waiting for us to call patiently, and hit the most needed place on the base: the commissary(for you non-mil folk that's the base grocery store) and got the necessities : coffee, coffee creamer, IV. The commissary :
For now I'm gonna stop there. More to come: our first night out in Japan, N gets stung by a Japanese Box Jelly Fish AND shopping for a Japanese car and driving on the left! YEAH!
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