I can't believe we're here.
After all the paperwork, planning, and travels, we have finally arrived in Atsugi.
In my sort of lifestyle, I've learned to curb my excitement, sadness, whatever, until I'm actually in that moment - no expectations are best in the Navy - and finally, I was in that moment. Somewhere around the final decent after a 11 hour flight, my heart started pumping and I realized the next place under my feet would be Japan. Just about THERE...and then....we arrived :) I was thrilled.
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| the first glimpse of Japan |
Piper and I had a great flight minus a couple wrestling matches during her sleepy moments. Thankfully, there was a little girl across the aisle that kept saying "HI" to Piper which bought us an hour of entertainment. There were also the flight attendants that seemed to have some compassion - you could tell it was against their rules and regulations to let me rock the little lady near their food and beverage stations but they let me do it anyway.
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| finally sleeping |
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| me being goofy |
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| piper being goofy |
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| ALMOST GOING TO GET OFF OF THE PLANE! |
After getting Tommy cleared to freely be a dog in Japan, I loaded up our loot in the baggage terminal in Yakota - 3 bags, dog kennel, Piper, car seat, stroller, carry-on and diaper bag - into my 50 arms and one rolly-cart. My Diamondback sponsor greeted me and took us to Atsugi Kichi! (Atsugi Base) So nice to finally be "home".
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| Tommy wonders where we brought him |
So - initial thoughts:
They have a lot American stores - Denny's, Starbucks, a Harley Dealership....Baskin Robin's (which the locals refer to as "Satay-Won" which is "thirty-one" for the 31 flavors at Baskin Robin's) - and did you know that the Japanese owns 7 Eleven? Instead of being a gas station, it's more like a convenient store and people can pay their utility bills here....not sure if it sells slurpee's....
Vending machines = Everywhere. Are you thirsty? Need a beer or a smoke? for a 120 Yen, you can get whatever, wherever! ($1.50)
A Note on Driving - if some of my family members are expert backseat drivers in the states, they should probably just close her eyes while we commute here - it's intense. Driving on the left side of the road while sitting on the right side of the car is bizarro.
Sweet little wagon, though, eh?! It's nice to fill this tank up at the gas station compared to our 36 gallon tank for our truck in the states!
Language - Love it and Hate that I don't have a clue yet. I hope to take some courses in the fall but in the meantime, it's percussive and silly. gosh, I love language - and it really gives you POWER....so I hope to grasp it soon!
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| Yay for Engrish! |
Surprised that I look foreign but not THAT foreign. I thought Japanese people would be a lot shorter and stare at all 6'0" of a me a little more - thankfully, it doesn't seem like they think of me as a complete amazon - However, who HAS gotten all the looks is little miss Piper. They LOVE her. Locals have saved me on public transportation many-a-time with their smiles catching Piper's glance before the little lady is about to wig out.
And Lastly, Transportation - I am walking, riding my bike and taking the train and bus more than ever and it's WONDERFUL. The train system is definitely NOT as user-friendly as Chicago, New York or anywhere in Europe, but it's train system and that's just heavenly.
That's all for now - Sayonara!
