First Week

Just before going through security in Seattle - 9 hours of travelling already with 23 to go!

Our travels did end up taking quite a long time - 32 hours from the time we walked into the airport in SD to the time we stepped off the plane in Okinawa. All the stewardesses on the plane just thought that A & D were so well-behaved, and we were very thankful to be holding the only baby that never screamed once over the entire 32 hours! Our first view of Japan was flying over Mount Fuji, which was just beautiful in the early morning sunlight and completely covered in snow. 

We've been seeing the same people all week, as we're all car-less, homeless, jet-lagged and staying at the same hotel. :) Yesterday was the day of freedom, though, as after our newcomer's brief, we all took our driving test and were issued our new licenses. We are now the proud owners of a '96 Honda Odyssey, although it has a much smaller body that what you'd find in the states. It's probably one of the biggest cars on the road here, though. We feel like we're turning into the opposite lane every time we travel. J already tried to take out a whole line of cars when he turned onto the right side of the road, then reversed quickly, barely missing a bus! Luckily he was on base, alone, and after the other drivers got over their initial fright, they gave him looks of pity and knowing half-smiles. The maximum speed limit here is 60 kph, and most of the roads we'll drive it's 50 kph (about 37 mph), so hopefully that will make us feel safer on the skinny roads. 

Hopefully by the end of the week we'll have a place to live. We haven't taken many pictures yet because we've only been out a couple times with our sponsors.  Lots more will be coming soon when we're brave enough to venture out on our own!

Just some random stores. . can't tell you what's in them. . yet :)

Their movie tickets cost about 1,600 Yen (about $18!). I didn't think anything could be more expensive than CA. :)