It could also be titled "Weak One," if you catch my drift.
Things accomplished that may not seem to be the herculean tasks to you as they seemed to be to us:
(1) Welcome Aboard Class and Tour which was not nearly as bad as Navy side, but it was the morning after our arrival. Yes, I will take cheese with my whine, thank you.
(2) Pets cleared last hurdle, mainly the on base vet clinic review.
(3) "Bought" a car. This in quotations because we neither paid for it at the time nor could we drive it home. We basically reserved it for purchase and use.
(4) Moved into a townhouse, in spite of the dreaded 8-24 month wait list. I still insist that our Family Readiness Officer, Gary B, is largely to thank for this. He knows people. This is doubly important bc now our dogs can live with us legally!
(5) SOFA class and test that allows us to drive here. I will also tag on Purchase of Car and Registration of Car (and new bicycle) on base, though these required additional steps. See #6.
(6) Set up bank account for use in Japan, including transfer of funds from USAA and withdrawal of cash for car payment. The clerk pulled some strings to let this happen in one day. Also, Jon bought me a bike for getting around base whilst waiting on said car to become available.
(7) Set up cable and internet. Again, what's the big deal? Uh huh. This involved 3 trips back and forth from the house to the company, without a car, and 1-2 phone calls to the help desk. I delegated this to Jon :)
(8) Checked in to medical, dental, and overseas TriCare. I also made my initial OB intake for the clinic here and an appointment with the doctor for this coming week, then I spent an afternoon reading all the information on my delivery options and assistance programs on base (well, I could've read those).
(9) Rental furniture and kitchen supplies. Very efficient system here, and we happen to live 2 seconds from the household goods storage facility. We got the keys to our place in the morning, and the furniture was delivered and assembled in the afternoon. The Japanese delivery guys even blanketed the floors and took their shoes off and on to keep our floor clean! Gary B helped a lot with the kitchen rental hauling, as well as with lugging our bags from the lodge to the house. He even shared his cleaning supplies and tv!
(10) Several trips to the Commissary, MCX, and Home Stores with the requisite assistance from Gary B and his van.
(11) Jon also had to do his squadron check in, travel claim, household goods stuff, etc. Thankfully, the staff here is much more capable than the staff in Virginia and California, and we are very hopeful about getting reimbursed and seeing our HHG again.
(12) We taxied, trained, walked, and rented a car for week end excitement, and we went to the base chapel for church Sunday. The Chaplain is our immediate neighbor.
Well, I am trying to upload pictures from my phone, but Japanese numbers are not recognized, and the download is choosing pictures at random. TTFN.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Getting to Iwakuni
Since this is the beginning of my blog experience, I feel the need to give a little background. In summary, I was a civilian nurse who joined the military, met the man I have now married, and have recently crossed over to dependent spouse. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it means that I got out of the military and travel around with my husband on his military orders. He is a pilot. Our most exciting update is that, prior to our move to Japan, we found out we were pregnant!
Also of some great amount of importance, I should mention that we have two small dogs. Rocko is Jon's dog of 9 years, and Kess is my dog of 9 years. They have transitioned very well into their new lifestyles of step-siblings, and we even catch them cuddling on occasion. As bachelors, our dogs were and are our precious children, and being married has not lessened their importance in the slightest. So, when we got orders to Japan, we immediately began to research the "How" and "When" of taking them along. It's quite a tedious process, but the Japanese are highly efficient and helpful and make it as clear and painless as possible.
And finally, I feel that I can proceed to the point: getting to Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi, Japan.
In the military, well, the government at large, there are offices for everything. Things get delegated. In the military specifically, the people in the offices tend to move around quite a bit, so you may or may not be dealing with someone who knows how to do his or her job. In our case, getting our orders and plane tickets. There is an easy way to get yourself, your family members, your luggage, and your pets to Iwakuni - we did not get that. We are not privy to all the particulars, but, based on how long our paperwork sat on a desk collecting dust and how many times we were given incorrect orders and tickets, I would say someone did not know how to do his job. If you are reading this for assistance, FIGHT FOR THE PATRIOT EXPRESS.
The second way to Iwakuni is by commercial air, for which we got tickets, 3 days before departure. We immediately went to the airport to ensure our dogs could fly in cabin with us, and we got tickets for them. Again, if you are reading for assistance, there is a pet policy link on the airline site. United allows small dogs in cabin for international flights only to certain places - Japan is one. Read all the information in advance, because you are likely going to be navigating the airline staff through the rules. Side note: getting the overseas clearance/ health certificate for flight for the pets involves hours of work for you and your vet. Read everything thoroughly and several times over. If there are ANY discrepancies, your pet will get quarantined in Japan.
Morning of the flight, everything went smoothly. We made our connection, boarded our next plane, and were sitting down when a flight attendant asked, "Is that a dog in there?!" Ruh roh. We went on to show our pet tickets, explain that we cleared everything days ago, etc. All they heard was blah blah blah. Apparently, in spite of all our tickets saying "United" quite clearly across the top, we were actually on an ANA flight, and they do not allow pets. We were escorted off the plane and given the options of buying kennels and tickets for placing the dogs in cargo or getting a (not very much) later flight aboard United. The later flight meant no connection in Tokyo, but we chose that anyway. Side note: Prior to receiving any tickets, I did extensive research on the multiple ways to travel in Japan from Tokyo. Unsure of having wifi once there, I took screen shot pics with my phone of the more pertinent instructions.
Now, we get to Tokyo. On the baggage claim carousel, there is a note for me saying my bag did not make it, so I head to the Help Desk while Jon gets the other bags. I cannot brag on the Japanese system enough. The clerk arranged to have my missing bag delivered to Iwakuni, gave us vouchers for a hotel and the bus to Hiroshima station for the next morning, and provided tickets from Hiroshima to Iwakuni the next day. The only unclear thing, due to the language barrier, was the pet situation - would they be able to stay in the hotel and fly in the plane with us. When asked about the hotel, he seemed to say, "Yes, they have a dog park too," or some such variation. Well, it was the best I could do. Then we cleared the pets from quarantine (again, very efficiently), and cleared customs without a hassle. So far, no big deal.
By now, we've been awake forever - it is difficult to guess the exact number of hours due to time differences and the fact that we didn't really sleep much the night before. Also, the airport was closing. So we go straight to the shuttle for the hotel. The process is streamlined, and we find ourselves in our room in no time. They insist on delivering your luggage as a courtesy, so we release the hounds in our room to let them finally have a good romp, and Jon pulls the boots from my swollen legs. Knock knock, baggage delivery. Great! I'm thinking shower and bed. The hop unloads our stuff and takes the cart out but, as an afterthought, turns at the door and says we can't have dogs in the room. Um, excuse me? He goes on to gesticulate something that sounds like there are other rooms available for guests with pets, so we slowly venture back to the lobby. It took me a while to get my boots back on. Here, it got slightly less efficient and a lot more muddled. Maybe it was me, maybe it was a new situation for the Japanese we were dealing with at the moment. At length, we are taken to a closet and shown a corner where we are supposed to leave our dogs, in their airline bags, overnight. Um, excuse me? Short story long, we get our luggage back and take the the shuttle to the airport. Jon checks with the airline we will be taking in the morning, and no, they don't allow pets in cabin either. So… the train is our only option. Fortunately, my research has been thorough.
A) You have to keep your bags with you and get on and off the trains quickly some times, so you should have your big bags mailed. I even had the recommended company that could deliver right to base. While Jon arranged that, I changed the bags around, so we had a smaller suitcase with a few days clothes in it. I'm fairly certain Jon gets the credit for that idea, since my brain was long gone.
B) Find the ticket booth for the train and have a picture of where you want to go. Somewhere along the line, I found a picture of the route from Tokyo airport to Iwakuni with all connections and had taken a screen shot. This was extremely helpful. If you can read Japanese, then feel free to bypass the ticket booth and go straight for the kiosk. If you cannot, the Japanese pretty much expect us to have no idea what we are doing and delight in helping. It's very nice. The guy at the booth hooked us up with reservations (that makes a difference as to which car of the train you get into) and stilted instructions as to what to do. Together, Jon and I eventually made sense of the signs and directions within the station. It's much like a labyrinth or ant hill. Unfortunately, it was late at night, so our trip from the airport to the main station was the last. We would have to continue in the morning.
C) The train/ express closes at night. We had no idea until we were escorted out. Tokyo is quite cold in the winter but surprisingly dead. We wandered for hours, literally. The hotels we found had no rooms available, except one which was $500. No thanks. I noted one Irish bar that was still open in the wee hours, so after miles of nothing, we found our way back and patronized the (very clean and quiet) bar for the last hour and a half until the train station opened again. It is now 04:30, Sunday morning. We left the east coast Friday morning, and Tokyo is roughly 14 hours ahead. We have been up a good while. All of our wandering around the station pays off, and we find our gate right away. It's closed, so we camp out until they open.
D) The express is awesome. Cozy seats, vendors, bathrooms with heated seats. I love those heated seats. Jon and I, having figured out the signs for the most part, make our connections without mishap and get to Iwakuni station around noon. The way out is unclear, and even my screen shot instruction is vague, but we make it. Cab to base - $10. Of course, we go to the wrong lodge (and, incidentally, have sent our bags here), but they call the other likely place and give us directions. It isn't far, so we walk. Lots of walking on this trip. No lodging on base allows pets, and we made reservations at the kennel, but the thought rankles. Our poor dogs have been in their bags for days now, have not eaten or had much water, and would be terrified at being left in a kennel for the first time in their lives. So we smuggle them in. The lodge notifies our sponsors that we have arrived, and we soon meet them. Very awesome people! Gary assures us that we can handle the dog issue after some sleep and also assures us that he will tote us around the next day. Michelle has left food and drinks, so we shower and pass out. The commissary (grocery store) is closed on Mondays, but we simply cannot move another muscle. Thanks, Michelle, for the goodies!
Also of some great amount of importance, I should mention that we have two small dogs. Rocko is Jon's dog of 9 years, and Kess is my dog of 9 years. They have transitioned very well into their new lifestyles of step-siblings, and we even catch them cuddling on occasion. As bachelors, our dogs were and are our precious children, and being married has not lessened their importance in the slightest. So, when we got orders to Japan, we immediately began to research the "How" and "When" of taking them along. It's quite a tedious process, but the Japanese are highly efficient and helpful and make it as clear and painless as possible.
And finally, I feel that I can proceed to the point: getting to Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi, Japan.
In the military, well, the government at large, there are offices for everything. Things get delegated. In the military specifically, the people in the offices tend to move around quite a bit, so you may or may not be dealing with someone who knows how to do his or her job. In our case, getting our orders and plane tickets. There is an easy way to get yourself, your family members, your luggage, and your pets to Iwakuni - we did not get that. We are not privy to all the particulars, but, based on how long our paperwork sat on a desk collecting dust and how many times we were given incorrect orders and tickets, I would say someone did not know how to do his job. If you are reading this for assistance, FIGHT FOR THE PATRIOT EXPRESS.
The second way to Iwakuni is by commercial air, for which we got tickets, 3 days before departure. We immediately went to the airport to ensure our dogs could fly in cabin with us, and we got tickets for them. Again, if you are reading for assistance, there is a pet policy link on the airline site. United allows small dogs in cabin for international flights only to certain places - Japan is one. Read all the information in advance, because you are likely going to be navigating the airline staff through the rules. Side note: getting the overseas clearance/ health certificate for flight for the pets involves hours of work for you and your vet. Read everything thoroughly and several times over. If there are ANY discrepancies, your pet will get quarantined in Japan.
Morning of the flight, everything went smoothly. We made our connection, boarded our next plane, and were sitting down when a flight attendant asked, "Is that a dog in there?!" Ruh roh. We went on to show our pet tickets, explain that we cleared everything days ago, etc. All they heard was blah blah blah. Apparently, in spite of all our tickets saying "United" quite clearly across the top, we were actually on an ANA flight, and they do not allow pets. We were escorted off the plane and given the options of buying kennels and tickets for placing the dogs in cargo or getting a (not very much) later flight aboard United. The later flight meant no connection in Tokyo, but we chose that anyway. Side note: Prior to receiving any tickets, I did extensive research on the multiple ways to travel in Japan from Tokyo. Unsure of having wifi once there, I took screen shot pics with my phone of the more pertinent instructions.
Now, we get to Tokyo. On the baggage claim carousel, there is a note for me saying my bag did not make it, so I head to the Help Desk while Jon gets the other bags. I cannot brag on the Japanese system enough. The clerk arranged to have my missing bag delivered to Iwakuni, gave us vouchers for a hotel and the bus to Hiroshima station for the next morning, and provided tickets from Hiroshima to Iwakuni the next day. The only unclear thing, due to the language barrier, was the pet situation - would they be able to stay in the hotel and fly in the plane with us. When asked about the hotel, he seemed to say, "Yes, they have a dog park too," or some such variation. Well, it was the best I could do. Then we cleared the pets from quarantine (again, very efficiently), and cleared customs without a hassle. So far, no big deal.
By now, we've been awake forever - it is difficult to guess the exact number of hours due to time differences and the fact that we didn't really sleep much the night before. Also, the airport was closing. So we go straight to the shuttle for the hotel. The process is streamlined, and we find ourselves in our room in no time. They insist on delivering your luggage as a courtesy, so we release the hounds in our room to let them finally have a good romp, and Jon pulls the boots from my swollen legs. Knock knock, baggage delivery. Great! I'm thinking shower and bed. The hop unloads our stuff and takes the cart out but, as an afterthought, turns at the door and says we can't have dogs in the room. Um, excuse me? He goes on to gesticulate something that sounds like there are other rooms available for guests with pets, so we slowly venture back to the lobby. It took me a while to get my boots back on. Here, it got slightly less efficient and a lot more muddled. Maybe it was me, maybe it was a new situation for the Japanese we were dealing with at the moment. At length, we are taken to a closet and shown a corner where we are supposed to leave our dogs, in their airline bags, overnight. Um, excuse me? Short story long, we get our luggage back and take the the shuttle to the airport. Jon checks with the airline we will be taking in the morning, and no, they don't allow pets in cabin either. So… the train is our only option. Fortunately, my research has been thorough.
A) You have to keep your bags with you and get on and off the trains quickly some times, so you should have your big bags mailed. I even had the recommended company that could deliver right to base. While Jon arranged that, I changed the bags around, so we had a smaller suitcase with a few days clothes in it. I'm fairly certain Jon gets the credit for that idea, since my brain was long gone.
B) Find the ticket booth for the train and have a picture of where you want to go. Somewhere along the line, I found a picture of the route from Tokyo airport to Iwakuni with all connections and had taken a screen shot. This was extremely helpful. If you can read Japanese, then feel free to bypass the ticket booth and go straight for the kiosk. If you cannot, the Japanese pretty much expect us to have no idea what we are doing and delight in helping. It's very nice. The guy at the booth hooked us up with reservations (that makes a difference as to which car of the train you get into) and stilted instructions as to what to do. Together, Jon and I eventually made sense of the signs and directions within the station. It's much like a labyrinth or ant hill. Unfortunately, it was late at night, so our trip from the airport to the main station was the last. We would have to continue in the morning.
C) The train/ express closes at night. We had no idea until we were escorted out. Tokyo is quite cold in the winter but surprisingly dead. We wandered for hours, literally. The hotels we found had no rooms available, except one which was $500. No thanks. I noted one Irish bar that was still open in the wee hours, so after miles of nothing, we found our way back and patronized the (very clean and quiet) bar for the last hour and a half until the train station opened again. It is now 04:30, Sunday morning. We left the east coast Friday morning, and Tokyo is roughly 14 hours ahead. We have been up a good while. All of our wandering around the station pays off, and we find our gate right away. It's closed, so we camp out until they open.
D) The express is awesome. Cozy seats, vendors, bathrooms with heated seats. I love those heated seats. Jon and I, having figured out the signs for the most part, make our connections without mishap and get to Iwakuni station around noon. The way out is unclear, and even my screen shot instruction is vague, but we make it. Cab to base - $10. Of course, we go to the wrong lodge (and, incidentally, have sent our bags here), but they call the other likely place and give us directions. It isn't far, so we walk. Lots of walking on this trip. No lodging on base allows pets, and we made reservations at the kennel, but the thought rankles. Our poor dogs have been in their bags for days now, have not eaten or had much water, and would be terrified at being left in a kennel for the first time in their lives. So we smuggle them in. The lodge notifies our sponsors that we have arrived, and we soon meet them. Very awesome people! Gary assures us that we can handle the dog issue after some sleep and also assures us that he will tote us around the next day. Michelle has left food and drinks, so we shower and pass out. The commissary (grocery store) is closed on Mondays, but we simply cannot move another muscle. Thanks, Michelle, for the goodies!
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