Kamiseya Cherry Blossom Festival

This weekend, March 24th, our base hosted the Kamiseya Cherry Blossom Festival. The base opens it's doors to the community and throws a party. The Japanese people are very curious about the American bases and this gives them an opportunity to see what the base is like and what us crazy Americans are doing. The Navy sets up booths and educates the public on everything from airplanes to American food. The different squadrons were also selling 'American' merchandise (mostly Navy t-shirts). What was crazy was the prices! They were selling t-shirt for about $30-50 and the Japanese were paying it! The most popular food booths were the beef kabobs and the pulled-pork sandwiches. But, the winner, by far, was the cotton candy, that line had to be at least a 20 minute wait!

The festivities started at 11am, we got there a little early because last year they had over 20,000 people attend. This year is was only estimated at 10,000, largely in part to our cherry blossoms. While they are extremely closes to flowering all we currently have are buds. The cherry trees line both sides of the boulevard outside and inside the base. The trees are gorgeous without the blossoms, I can only imagine what they will look like in a few days! Anyway, along with the booths there was also a wide variety of entertainment. Both the Japanese and Americans participated. There were Japanese cheerleaders, who started each cheer with 'Ready...okay!" and then gave a cheer in Japanese. Kinda funny. Some of our favorite acts were the Japanese dancers and the Japanese drummers called 'taiko.' Taiko are traditional Japanese drums used historically to summon spirits for fortune, strength and harmony. The Americans also did some entertaining. The Air Force band performed and from what we understand (we left a little early) there were also military marching drills, and a demonstration of Army dogs.

The trees behind us are the cherry trees...soon to be in bloom!

Later that evening we went to Dinner Mystery Theater. It was a 'who dunnit' interactive play. The storyline was not the best in the world, but the audience participation made the event worthwhile. Colby even got up and 'shook his groove thing.' (He's doing the 'young man' part of YMCA).

Weird things in our new home

I just thought I would share some wild and crazy things that are in our new home. Remember, we are in military housing, so these houses are very close to the 'normal' American house.

First, the key to the front door. The key is large and flat, kind of like a fat dog tag (military kind, not puppy kind).

Second, the screen doors. The screen doors are on the inside. So, if you want fresh air you open your main door, which opens to the outside. The door can then latch to the outside of your house so the wind doesn't blow it shut. It's not that weird except when you are inside your house and you see all these screen doors.

Third, the toilet. It has a faucet on top. Actually, since we are in military housing our toilets are quite normal. If we lived off-base in Japanese housing the toilets would probably have seat warmers (the houses don't have central heating), washing options for the bum, plus a warm-air to dry your bum. Here, we just have the faucet. It is one of the ways to conserve water. When you flush the toilet water comes out of the faucet automatically. It's not the dirty water, it's the fresh water that is coming in to fill the tank. It just gives you the opportunity to wash your hands, then the dirty hand water fills they tank. Kinda smart, if you ask me. But, no soap please!

The Furniture has arrived!!

Well, yet another eventful day....we got our furniture!!! So, now we are 'officially' moved in! I think this was our best military move yet. The movers were two Japanese men. Very polite, efficient, and hard-working. The truck got here around 11am, they unloaded and unpacked almost everything and were gone by 3:30! Amazing! And....they only took one, count them, ONE break! I wish the American movers would be that good! One of the movers even asked if there was anything else he could help with before he left. Again...amazing! For those of you fortunate ones who have never had to do a move, much less a military one, will not appreciate this message as much as my fellow military spouses. OH, I almost forgot the best part. All of our stuff was accounted for...no running through the house trying to find those few boxes that slipped though. It was so great!

Getting the blogging started...

Okay, okay, so I have been a little slow in getting this page up and running. Sorry. We have been living in Japan for over a month now (wow, time sure flies). This 'blog' thing is very new to me so you'll have to be patient. I'll try to post often, especially when there is an adventure.

So, now...our first month....

We actually have been fairly busy since we arrived. Right away, the Navy had us take cultural-relations classes. The classes were time consuming but helpful. We left the class knowing a bit more about our host country, speaking some Japanese, and with our Japanese driver's license! Also, during our class you are required to do some traveling to get you acquainted with the trains and buses. Our first big outing was to Kamakura. Kamakura is to the south of us along the coast. There are numerous temples and shrines to explore. We visited four temples but the highlights were Hasedera Temple and Daibutsu (Great Buddha). The Great Buddha was quite remarkable, it's over 11 meters high. It was cast in bronze in 1252 and originally located inside a temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave. They took it to be a sign that the Buddha wanted to be in the open air, so that is where he now sits.

Last weekend we went to our first bazaar. At these bazaars different vendors from all over China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan bring many different goodies to buy. They have everything from furniture to dishes to candleholders. We actually bought two pieces. The first is a Tibetan alter table, well over 100 years old. The second is a chest from southeast-China. We have no idea how old it is, but we love it. Both are hand-carved.

(That's our suitcase underneath).

Then on Sunday, we went on a navy sponsored tour to go Strawberry Picking and to Mt. Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. We left the base early in the morning, it was a three hour bus ride to the strawberry fields. Thankfully, there were gorgeous views of Mt. Fuji almost the entire way. Once we got to the fields they give you an hour to eat as many strawberries as you can. I can't explain to you how good the berries were. They were huge, red, and juicy. I actually had strawberry juice running down my face after biting into them! YUM! Final count : Rachel 27, Colby 18! After the strawberries, we got back on the bus and headed to the 375 year old Toshogu shrine. The shrine holds the remains of Japan's first shogun, Ieyasu. This is one of the most important shrines in all of Japan.

This past weekend was also an interesting one, but not because of traveling. We actually saw Michael Jackson. Yes, the King of Pop. He is in Japan doing who knows what, and he came to Camp Zama to support the troops. While neither Colby or I are huge fans and have mixed feeling about him, we decided we couldn't pass on this opportunity. Since Colby and John wore their flight suits we got priority seating up close. It was a very surreal experience. He walked in, said a few words thanking the troops, walked around again, and then left. The whole thing lasted less than 10 minutes. Still a neat experience.

We have already had so much fun. It still feels like an extended vacation instead of home.