Laundry day!

When you live in a tropical environment, your clothes get "unclean" rapidly (damp, sweaty, musty, etc).....and, of course, being a girl, wearing cleaning clothes as opposed to those passing the sniff test is important.  One of the amenities offered by my housing is the inclusion of a clothes washer and dryer in the unit.

Of course, they are a Japanese washer and dryer.

Yes, that means the instructions are all in Japanese. 

The building managers have done their best to help and the washing machine has helpful markers to indicate which buttons to push and in what sequence.

Washing machine with instructions - push 1, then 2, followed by 3 and 4.....I have NO idea what the buttons cause the machine to do but it started and did what washing machines are supposed to do....

I carefully sorted my clothes, loaded the first batch into the machine and pushed the buttons.....the machine began a process of agitating the clothes with quick, intermittent pulses.....then it stopped and blinked at me to let me know how much laundry detergent to add.  Best I can figure, the agitation was to measure the weight of the clothing to correctly (the the 1/16 of a cup) measure the correct amount of laundry soap.  I added soap then the machine took off.......it went through a series of cycles, adding small amounts of water, agitating the clothes, more water, spinning off and on.  The entire process takes about 35 minutes - and the final spin cycle felt like it was NEVER going to stop.....my clothes were practically dry when I pulled them from the washer.  Best I can figure, by measuring the weight of the laundry before washing, the machine has precisely calibrated the EXACT amount of water and spin time necessary to clean the clothes yet still conserve energy?  I don't need to know how it worked...I just know I had clean ( but wet) clothes.....

Now, on to the dryer.....

There are no helpful "push this button" first instructions for the dryer...I was on my own with this one!

The dryer is mounted on the wall and had no helpful directions included.  Nothing but instructions in Japanese and a wide array of choices........hmmm...... I loaded my clothes and began a process of randomly pushing buttons.  I managed to get the machine started, and after the first 3-4 minutes, opened the door...just to check.  Hmmmm....OK, need to push a few more buttons because, although the dryer was working, the clothes were not warm at all.  Must have hit the "fluff" cycle.  Pushed some more buttons....waited a few minutes....pushed some more buttons.....I finally succeeded in getting the dryer to heat the clothes so they would actually dry.  After 15 minutes or so, I checked them and found they were dry - due to the fact that the washing machine had done half the job already!  I pulled the clothes out and shut the dryer door.  It started again.  I opened the door, closed the door...and it started.  I said "the heck with it" and left the door open while I folded the clean dry clothing.

the dryer BEEPED angrily at me!

It was apparently offended at the idea of me removing the clothes before it was done doing its "dryer" thing......Once again I randomly punched buttons until its lights flicked out.

You know that movie "Transformers".......yep, it was filmed here, I know it!  I understand better why most of the houses here have patio clothes lines....its just a lot easier and the clothes don't talk back to you!

At the gym on Kadena AFB

I'm sorry today's story doesn't have any pictures to help convey the situation....but it's too funny NOT to share!

I've been a bit "lax" in my gym attendance over the past few weeks - to be honest, that LAST thing I was really concerned with when stressing about moving 8,000 miles away for 4 months was getting on a treadmill.  However, common sense (and an increasing sense of my trainer, Heather's, disapproval not to mention the size of my butt) finally got me moving.   Now mind you, there is a gym facility on Camp Lester, about a block from where my office is located.  However, it's a fairly small facility - and, to be honest, when I stuck my head in there, all I noticed was it was hot, sweaty and smelled pretty nasty in there.  After conferring with my office mates, I was told the gym at Kadena AFB is "the" gym! 

After work ended, I came home, changed into gym clothes and off I went.......only to discover the gym was closed until 18:00 (that's 6:00 PM for your civilians, LOL!) because they had been doing some type of maintenance.  I joined the steadily growing crowd of people sitting in their cars in the parking lot - I wasn't brave enough to join the throng of military boys stacked up at the door!  Sure enough, 18:00 arrived and, just like Target on Black Friday, the crowd swept through the door.

I step inside the gym....and realize this is one SERIOUS gym.  I can see an enormous room to my right - filled with weights, various weight machines, lined completely with mirrors and now filled with muscular men - all focused on...well, whatever men focus on when they are in a gym.  I casually stroll past this room and proceed to turn down a hallway.  There are several rooms along the hall - each labeled as various group exercise rooms, etc.  I finally reach the end of the hall and find a room set up with cardio equipment - a couple of treadmills, a few stair climbers, etc.  I notice the front of the room has a kids play area but there isn't anyone else in the room so I hop on a treadmill, crank up the music and away I go.  (I did wonder about the oddity of the size of the cardio room in comparison to the weight room but what the heck!?!)  Soon after I start, a woman arrives with a kiddo who looks around 5 or 6.  She looks at me a bit oddly.....but she jumps on a treadmill while the child proceeds to bounce off things in the play area.  Next up, a man and woman hauling a baby - again, they look at me a bit strangely but go about their business........

I soon finish my treadmill workout and decide to stop at the desk and ask a few questions.......and the young man there tells me the "cardio room" is down a completely different corridor AND up a flight of stairs.  So now I'm wondering exactly where I was, so I ask "what's the cardio room down that hall?"

Yep, I was exercising in the room specifically set aside for families!  In fact, apparently you are supposed to "register" at the desk before using that room!

LOL,  I felt a bit like a fool but at least I'm a healthy fool!  Felt even more silly  when I found the "real" cardio room and discovered it has about 80 different  machines in it!

Unfortunately now there is no excuse for me to not work out.....sigh........

Saturday afternoon in town

So, now that I've survived my morning, I'm feeling REALLY good about my ability to navigate and I decided to venture forth to try and find the house of my co-worker Dewitt.  Now mind you, I've only been to his place one time prior and it was something of a whirl-wind tour so, while I have a "general" idea of where he lives, I'm not completely convinced I can find it on my own!  I know if I head STRAIGHT down the main road that runs in front of my house, I theoretically should find his place.  So off I go.........

I make it down the road, it's a total of about a mile, maybe 1 1/2 miles, which takes close to 20 minutes thanks to the sheer volume of traffic.  And, have I mentioned it's political season here in Okinawa, so all day (and night) the candidates are out on the streets WITH their loudspeakers??!?!  Yes, there was a candidates "bus" in front of me, crawling through the street at a snail's pace spreading the word on why Japanese voters should elect him/her.  (At least I assume that was what was being broadcast through the speakers, LOL!)

Once I get in the area that seems familiar, I wisely park in the largest parking garage I can find.  It's a 3-4 story parking garage, on top of yet another shopping/grocery/tourist souvenir mecca.  I "mark" my spot carefully and venture out.  It was quite a surprise to myself I managed to find Dewitt's place, after only several turns, twists, and side streets.  It helped that he has mentioned the very busy "night market" that is just across the street from him place.  The night market looks like a crazy version of "park and swap"....complete with weird unwanted junk from people's closets!  According to him, it's quite the "happening" place to be, late at night!




When I get to Dewitt's front door, of course he is NOT home.  I decide to leave a note, including my new Japanese phone number.  A quick search of the very small bag I'm carrying....OK, I find a receipt that I can use as note paper.  Search the bag again.....do I have a pen? - of course NOT!!  I do, however, have a tube of lip gloss!  Yes, female ingenuity to the rescue - I carefully use my lip gloss applicator to etch my name and number out in a delightful shade of Gossip pink and wedge it into the mail slot.  (I'm sorry I didn't think to take a picture!) ((Note to self - PLEASE remember to stock bag with note paper and pen....I really like that lip gloss and would prefer to use it on my lips rather than as a writing instrument!))

After leaving my note, I decide to explore the neighborhood a bit and discover a lovely actual BEACH just across the street.  There is a large park area complete with numerous ramadas that can be reserved for picnics and finally the sandy beach I was looking for!  The beach is Ahara beach and it was beautiful - especially since it was a rare sunny day!

This is the view from the seawall - it was fairly late in the afternoon so it wasn't as crowded as I think it may be during peak times.

Proof of my feet in South Pacific waters - its a bit chilly!

The park includes a amphitheater - this the view from the top looking out to the water.

Saturday morning adventure - on base

OK, I'm getting braver and ventured out and about on Saturday morning.  First stop - the base exchange for some supplies and the commissary for basic provisions (like coffee, coffee creamer, peanut butter, etc).  It's funny how much we take for granted in our homes when it comes to the basics of life.  It's only when you really need a Kleenex that you realize you don't have any!

I had my first episode of "wrong side driving" when I turned on the Kadena AFB roads.  They apparently made the roads "super sized" for the incoming (i.e.; inexperienced) drivers and, because of that, I was driving on the "wrong" side.  Luckily I realized my mistake before I got too far down the road!

This the Kadena base exchange.  For anyone familiar with BX's - you will appreciate the size.  For those of you unfamiliar with military base exchanges - they are a WONDERFUL place.  This one is reportedly the largest in the overseas installations and it is HUGE.  Think of the best of every department store you've ever been in and you have an idea of what it's like.  They have some AMAZING sale items - yesterday I scored a brand new pair of Asics gym shoes - on clearance - for $10!  I can see this is a dangerous place to spend too much time in unless I'm suddenly rolling in money......

The sheer variety of things you can find at the exchange is bizarre.  The downstairs is all kiosks for local items (think souvenirs and strange "junk").  There is also a large food court with all the familiar mall food choices.  There is nothing like the comfort of familiar junk food to restore your sense of balance!

I felt a whole lot more at home after a Taco Bell lunch - yes, double-decker tacos really are an international delight!

The strangest thing, for me, is that you truly can purchase EVERYTHING at the BX, including a new car, LOL!

The "new car lot" is on the far left, LOL, complete with the typical car lot banners and flags!

After I had the basics I needed from the exchange, it was on to the grocery store.  The commissary is just like any other grocery store - except a lot bigger!  All of the "familiar" brands are here.  I can see how people who aren't especially adventuresome might be tempted to do all their grocery shopping here rather than in the local Japanese markets - it's a lot easier to figure out what you're buying when you can read the label!  One thing that is MUCH less expensive in the commissary are the fruits and vegetables.  Okinawa is a typical island and much of the goods are imported which increases the price dramatically.  Pineapples run close to $12 (American) in the local markets yet are priced around $2-3 in the commissary.

"American" grocery store on base.  Kadena is reported to have the best (i.e.; largest) exchange and commissary here.  Apparently the Air Force has more government funding or something?  I will investigate Camp Foster next time just to compare the choices.

Housing sights in the neighborhood

As I've explained, the area I'm staying in is fairly "Americanized" but there are neighborhoods scattered in the middle.  It is quite a bit like San Diego - every possible available scrap of ground has been used to build housing.  Many of the newer buildings look suspiciously like prison towers to me but the older homes are gorgeous!  Concrete is the building material of choice - due to the humidity, everything else would rot, corrode or disintegrate.

This is the construction site right outside my front porch.  It looks like they are forming all of the walls at one for a MAJOR concrete pour.

It looks suspiciously like the new construction will be little concrete block housing - just like these right next door!  It's fairly evident that quite a few American military families live here alongside the local Japanese.  Base housing runs close to 100% occupancy so many of the families do move out into the community.

This complex of apartment buildings is quite large - apparently they decided the residents needed to be able to figure out exactly which building was theirs so they customized each by giving each an "animal" portrait.  Can't you just hear the description, "I live in Kangaroo, apartment 6-2013", LOL!

This is one of "local" housing tucked into a side street on the way between my home and the Village.  These are obviously very expensive homes and rents can be as high as $5,000 American per month!.  I love the amount of greenery everywhere.  The picture don't convey just how lush and green everything is.  It's one of those places where you see plants that we struggle to cultivate as houseplants growing wildly and untamed everywhere.  Not sure if that is a reflection on just how much of a desert Arizona really is or evidence of how jungle-like it is here?

American Village

Given that Okinawa has seven major military installations - most in very close proximity, it isn't so surprising to find that the "local" economy is tremendously American-ized.  A quick 3-4 block stroll from my place is an amazing example of how the local economy has adapted to the influence of the American military members and their families.  The shopping center is quite large - it's easily identifiable from a great distance thanks to the Ferris Wheel that towers above.......quite a festive sight at night!

The "Carnival City" Ferris wheel at American Village.  It moves VERY slowly....I was told it takes 15 minutes (or longer) to make a complete revolution......I'm sure I will have to ride on it at least once while I'm here, LOL!

 American Village is reportedly styled after Seaport Village in San Diego.  There are countless shops and places to eat along with a bowling alley, movie theater, SEGA world....more things than I could keep track of.  It's huge draw for both Americans and Japanese people.  The close proximity to the beaches make the whole area a big tourist destination for visitors from mainland Japan as well and there are a number of very nice resort-style hotels nearby.  Mihama beach is close to here - one of the few areas where there is an actual "beach" with sand instead of reef and seawalls.

American Village is right next to the seawall and there are sea canals throughout the area - which makes for a very steamy, hot and humid experience when there is no breeze!  Many of the stores are air-conditioned - I suspect a sizable volume of business is from people desperate to cool off!  The shops include an A&W store, Baskin-Robbins and a Red Lobster and Tony Roma's.  Hard to believe that I can't get away from chain restaurants even 7,000 miles from home!

Out and about on the streets in Chatan-chi

On my first Thursday evening I was home early enough to take an evening stroll on the streets around my apartment so I want to share some of the unusual things found around here......

These are some random statues that were tucked into a corner on a side street.  There are also "cemetery" plots everywhere.  I didn't take a picture on them because I thought it was rather disrespectful (trying to be a good guest in this country!)

There are also vending machines tucked into the most obscure places - well, maybe not so obscure because they are EVERYWHERE!  They dispense water, sodas, coffee drinks, tea drinks, energy drinks...pretty much any drink that is non-alcoholic.  There are also vending machines that dispense ice cream bars and Popsicles. 

These were on a side street as I was walking towards the seawall.  Most of the machines dispense Coke products - American capitalism in action!

This one is a Pepsi machine (equal opportunity capitalism?) and was randomly in a small park on next to the marina.  I wonder how it keeps things cold?