One week ago today US time I went to the Portland airport for my flights to SFO then NRA (Narita) then to OKA (Okinawa). My first flight went well. I had 2 hours before my next flight when I got to SFO but dutifully went to the gate and found that it said my Narita flight was late by about 4 hours. That would put me into Narita after all flights to OKA were gone. There was a flight to Hong Kong out of the same game as our Narita flight and so the United attendents wouldn't help anyone until after that flight left. Needless to say that when the flight finally left there was only about 2 hours until the delayed flight would leave. There were only 2 agents, with occasionally a third, to deal with about half the passengers on a 747 that were going to miss connecting flights. I waited in line, but was still about 10 people back when they called for the last boarding of the plane. I decided just to get on it and deal with connections when I got to Narita.
And woohoo glad I did. I had a window seat and there wasn't anyone in the two other seats in my row! What a wonderful way to fly for 10 hours! I was able to stretch out and even get some sleep. Upon arriving at Narita, United had made arrangements for most of us that missed our flights to overnight in a hotel, vouchers for two meals, then I had to take a bus to the Haneda Airport (1 hour) and catch my flight to Okinawa. Finally all connections went well and I arrived in Okinawa about 1500 on Wed 10/8/14. I lost two days to travel! But was glad to reunite with Doug after 2 months. I knew I was in Okinawa when I saw this plane with Picachu on the tail.
Doug took me directly to Kadena Air Base to see about getting my CAC (Common Access Card) and a driver's license. On Thursday I was able to get my CAC by trying two different bases where walk ins were taken. It went smoothly, much to Doug's consternation. It took him about 4 weeks to finally get his CAC card and getting on the bases had been very difficult until then.
It is hard to get used to driving on the left side of the road. I keep going to the right side of the car to get in as a passenger! Wrong side! and making right had turns is really weird, I keep thinking Doug is going in the wrong lane.
We went into the BX and the Commissary. Lest you think I will be deprived of American food, fear not the BX has a food court with McDonalds, Taco Bell, Subway, Popeye's, Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins, Manchu Wok, and a Chili's on base as well. The BX is like a large department store and the Commissary is a large grocery store. It was good to see brands and items that I am familiar with.
In contrast we went to a home supply store off base and were looking for laundry detergent. (We have a small washer/drying combo.) We aren't sure what type of detergent it can use so we are just getting the same kind that was here. Difficult when it's all in kanji but we matched color and design.
Another day Doug took me to a '100 Yen' store - very similar to our 'Dollar Store'. We were looking for some candle holders, ribbon, and office supplies. Somethings were easy to know what it was - others not so easy.
We were looking for the candle holders as we were stocking up on basic supplies in preparation for the typhoon Vongfong that hit Okinawa Saturday night. All day Sat and Sun we were on Tricor 1 Emergency - Everyone is directed to stay in doors and away from windows and prepare an emergency kit in case of evacuation. It has been very windy since Friday with the strongest winds and gusts on Saturday/Sunday with rain. Sunday night we were going stir crazy so went out for a walk and battled strong winds and then some rain. It was a little early for a walk. We were blessed that our electricity never went out and our water remained on as well. We can say that we survived the strongest typhoon of the year!
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