Well, folks...we made it to Okinawa, Japan! We've been here for almost 2 full days now. The flight was wonderful. Of course it couldn't be perfect spending 24 hours traveling, but it was as good as could be expected. The boys didn't fight at ALL. That is a success in and of itself. Issy did throw up on the way to the airport and Ben threw up twice on the place (motion sickness and nerves I think), but it was really a stellar flight.
I am in love with the Japanese people already. They are sooooo nice and customer service oriented. We got so much help in the airport when they found out Ben was sick. Of course, they all love the blond kids and Isabella is eating it up. She smiles and says Konnichiwa and they giggle.
We've already gone car shopping and bought a minivan. Everyone in America reading this is going to laugh when you see what we got, but it was only $2500! It's a 1996Toyota Lucida in navy blue. Now I just need to get a license and brave driving on the left hand side of the road with Japanese road signs. I'm a little intimidated to say the least. We'll get our license on Wednesday after our orientation. Since we got here during a holiday we've not been able to really check in to the command yet. For those of you not in the military, Marines get like 5 days off for the 4th of July so everything shuts down for days. It's well deserved, but a lengthy holiday to arrive on the island.
Tonight we are going to our friends, the Peterson's, house for a 4th of July BBQ and fireworks over at Kadena Air Base. They went to dental school with us and have been here for 2 years already. Our other dental school friends, the Stinchfield's, arrived the day before us and we've been car shopping and babysitting swapping with them. It's been so nice to have an island contact and be able to adjust to this new environment with some people we already knew.
Stay tuned for more updates. We are still in our hotel and will be for probably 2-3 more weeks, but when we get our household goods I'll upload some photos.
By the way, everyone who told us it was humid here...you lied. There isn't a word for what the weather is like. It feels like I'm swimming through water all the time. It's like 90 degrees even in the morning and it's so humid it feels like I'm walking into a wall every time I walk outside. I've never experienced anything like it. When does winter get here?
Friday, July 4, 2008
We've arrived in Okinawa
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10 comments:
So glad that you made it - both safe and sane! It will be so much fun to read and watch your adventure over the next couple of years.
We miss you already!!
Glad your here and the flight went well!! Hope to see you sometime!
~Allie Frank
Meliss - thanks for the update. So happy to hear that everything has gone well so far. Can't wait for more updates! That is so cute about Issy by the way - my friends just did a 7 week internship in Hong Kong and their dtr become like a celebrity, they all loved her blonde hair - everywhere she went a crowd would gather and take pictures - probably same thing will happen with your kiddos! You guys will have so much fun!!!
Glad you made it and it seems to be going well! Good luck adjusting to life there. You will do great.
so glad to know you made it safe! I just have to say we love you, oh so I took ella to the dentist a couple of days ago and guess what he went to school with you he and his wife have there own little practice he is a pediactric dentist and we love him, such a cute office his name Jeremy Scholtzen oh and no cavities YEAH!! love you cant wait for more updates.
Kiser fam! Glad to know you arrived safe, I've been checking. That is so fun that you guys have the Petersons and the Stinchfields too. Say hello to them for us! I wish you guys the best of luck there, you will do awesome. Who doesn't like the Kisers?!
Glad you made it there safe, and that you are enjoying it already. I have never been in an earthquake either, I think I would be pretty scared. Good luck with everything.
Hey guys! I just found your blog from the Francis Blog.That's great you made it to Okinawa! Long trip huh! That's cool you are there with people you knew from dental school. I think you may have met them but my sister, Leeanne and her husband, Blake are there also. Small world Huh! good luck with everything!
Brittani Arnow
Sounds like craziness! hope life is settling down a bit! The driving on the wrong side of the rode would be a BIG adjustment! Enjoy!
Melissa! What a wonderful and adventurous life you lead. You should try & find some of the Japanese Sisters we served with on the square! I admit, I'm a bit jealous, I would love to travel & live in exotic places. What a blessing for your children to be exposed to the world!
Keep the posts rolling!
Love, Sabreena
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