1st Family Trip

As you all know Dylan and I were thrilled to have our outings complete having Rory/Daddy along with us. The first day out we headed to Yokohama's Chinatown. How crazy is that - Rory's first full day in Japan and we head to Chinatown. Don't ask because it didn't strike Rory and I until we were already there!

Below is one of the entrances to the Chinatown district of downtown Yokohama. This is the largest Chinatown in Japan.

As we exited the train station we saw a map and decided to try and "consult" it to see what was around the area. Just as we had bent closer thinking we would understand better a Japanese lady stopped her bike behind us and in blessed English said May I help out find something.

This was great though we knew Chinatown was just down the street why not have local help. She pedalled on ahead of us stopped and showed us the huge entrance below. Doubt we would have missed that:)

Chinatown was food.

Ok so there were a few shops selling trinkets, a large building that said museum but looked like multiple stores in one (not a stroller friendly building due to the multiple levels within one floor) but mainly food. Below is a picture taken before we decided what to have for lunch ironically enough we ended up back at a store very similar to this one.

The whole morning we had seen these baskets steaming all along the store fronts. This must be a popular Chinese fare so we were game to guess what we were ordering. In the picture below the Number 1 is missing from the stand but that is what I got - it looked the same as the 4th one from the left except the center was filled with different ingredients. Rory got the first one on the left - shark fin. The lady said that to us in English just making sure that was ok. Rory having had shark before said that was fine. Can I tell you how bland and tasteless our lunch was! It was all about texture and nothing to do with flavor. In my humble opinion there wasn't even enough flavor for it to taste bad! Oh but dear friends they made up for it with the texture especially the good ole shark fin. I took a bite and decided that was all Rory especially after he made it come alive squeezing the insides up and down out of the pocket. No worries mother's out there we weren't playing with our food at the table. We took our Chinese "pockets" to a park and picnicked. Ok let me get down to the business of trying to disturb you with a description of the shark fin. Picture a translucent grayish, beige oozing goo with tubular darker beige "tentacles" suspended in the goo. Are you hungry? Mine wasn't near as bad but so blah I didn't finish it Rory got the pleasure of finishing both. I am sure at that moment he was thrilled to be home:)

So who likes to make sure that their socks are on perfectly before slipping their foot into shoes. Ok put your hands down. I know there was at least one or two hands since my sister also has to make sure her socks are perfect as I do. Check out the shoes below!
I think he knew I wanted a shoe picture since he is displaying them so nicely:)

This is not the only place I have seen these toe shoes - (don't think ballerina) Almost all of the base yard men wear these shoes. I have even seen one construction worker wearing them. For him they are prayer shoes - he is praying someone doesn't drop something heavy on the construction site near his feet! I wonder if they make steel toe, toe shoes?
Dylan thought Chinatown was exciting:)

A very ornate Temple in Chinatown. I need to do some research about it's purpose/history. A lady asked us since we looked like local English speakers? if this was the Temple made for a famous Chinese general or something to that nature. We obviously have no idea, but will know before I scrapbook the pictures.



Though this photo is lacking dimension and perspective I wanted to capture the bright colors and artwork on the ceiling panels.
Enjoy this inside look at the Temple because I don't think I am supposed to have it. By reading hand gestures directing me up to the Temple I decided to investigate while Rory stayed with our sweet son and stroller. I walked around the outside then headed in not seeing a sign forbidding me - well it isn't like I would have been able to read it anyways. I saw two workers inside and thought they saw the gajin (I tend to stand out) not to mention we were the only 3 inside. I took some picture then ventured in farther to get a look at the gold inlay of the altar. That is when the hand gestures got serious - I received the arms crossed over the chest and then hands waving me back. I got the meaning, apologized and back out the door. So enjoy the picture.

Here is the park that we stopped at to eat our less than luscious lunch. After lunch this bubblefest took place which was a special unexpected treat. The Lord sure knows how to give to those who love Him.
At first Dylan was more interested in the other children...

But Daddy showed him the neat bubbles
After Chinatown, we headed to a harbor side park before starting our train ride home. This is where we saw the plaque that matched the one we saw in San Diego. Yokohama and San Diego are sister cities and have given each other statues, lamps and gardens.
Dylan loved his time here because he was surround by his favorite animal:) He squeals every time he sees or hears birds. Dylan even presses his little face to the sliding glass door to see them fly by or sit up on top the neighboring tower.

Here he was able to chase them!

USS George Washington Arrives in Japan!!!! Sept. 25th

I cannot even begin to describe to you the overwhelming excitement, happiness, blissfulness, and delight that came with the morning high tide here in Yokosuka, Japan. The night before sleep eluded me as my mind was filled with thoughts of a joyous homecoming, but as early morning crept in my body gave in and slept a peaceful sleep.
Sweet Dylan is doing his best to show you the patriotic excitement on Pier 12 as we eagerly await the USS GW surround by other families, well wishers and a few curious spectators. He was waving the blessed American flag just as fast as his pudgy hand could as he joined in vocally. Daddy was coming home!!!!!
As you can imagine this was a HUGE event for the media. This shot only captures a portion of the media vans lining the pier. I also saw numerous nonmilitary helicopters in the air. Of course, they had to stay on the perimeter otherwise the GW helios would let them know who was really boss.

The pier was set up for the affair.
Her rails and walkways were adorned in Red, White and Blue. A wide range of tents lined the pier from breakfast foods being served, radio station playing music, banks giving away pens to CVN 73 Japanese comic books, maps of the local area and children's videos - all free.
The Navy Band and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Band were both playing but our favorite was the taiko drummers.



There is something to be said for learning how to ask for a picture in Japanese. :)
Just look how Dylan is reaping the benefits:) This kind Japanese drummer lady took the initiative to help him "learn" how to play the drums while mommy's camera kept on clicking away.

As the Japanese drums thundered and the crowd cheered for their loved ones the USS George Washington became visible in our portion of the Tokyo Harbor!

The drums truly heightened the dramatic entrance of the first forward deployed nuclear powered aircraft carrier. As my eyes alighted on the ship for the first time off the end of the pier I was overwhelmed. Many of you know me as the low maintenance "tomboy" well Sept 25th I was the pageant girl. Out of nowhere my hand fluttered in front of my mouth as my eyes welled up with tears of gratitude and happiness.
(I did laugh inside when I caught myself doing the the hand flutter)



After the ship's mooring lines were thrown over and the brows lowered the ceremony began. I love history and find it fascinating that our family was literally making history, but.... When you haven't seen the love of your life in too long you really just want everyone to hurry up with the pomp and circumstance and call away liberty!
I tried to listen through my excitement and duties as Dylan's entertainment to the hour long ceremony.


Navy Arriving...
Unites States Arriving...
This is the way the Secretary of the Navy and the Ambassador to Japan were announced. I knew that the Captain of Rory's ship is announced as George Washington arriving or George Washington departing when he would arrive or depart the ship. This was new to me though. I must admit that hearing United States Arriving was an attention getter.
Top picture is the Secretary of the Navy,Donald C. Winter and the picture below is the Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer

Below is Admiral Keiji Akahoshi
Chief of Staff, Maritime Self-Defense Force

Every speech was translated either to Japanese or English depending on who was speaking. Both our national anthem and the Japanese national anthems were sung. I have two videos from the ceremony that I will try to post.

As soon as the ceremony was over and we heard the announcement that Liberty was granted being that low maintenance loud tomboy I yelled yea give us our men!! You don't have to be embarrassed for me everyone was cheering and yelling so not that many people heard. An older officer who was nearby did and his stern sea weathered face instantly burst into a smile! He knows and understands.

I am sure you are thinking what I was enough enough lets see Rory!!

Welcome to Japan, love!



Not everyone was as thrilled and ecstatic as we were to have the GW pier side in Yokosuka. The mayor of the city is quoted in the newspaper as saying during his speech (I couldn't hear so well) "I don't necessarily welcome the ship itself." said Yokosuka Mayor Ryoichi Kabaya "But I would like to welcome the [ships] capability and the crew"

That evening on Route 16 on which the main gate lies an estimated 2,500 people marched peaceably but loudly protesting the arrival of the nuclear powered carrier. Earlier in the afternoon the protesters had hung a 12 foot banner from the pedestrain walkway directly in front of our main gate. Police told the group to remove the sign and after arguing with the police for 30 minutes the sign was removed. Also prior to the march, protesters handed out peace and anti-nuclear pamphlets to sailors as they left the base.

Rory, Dylan and I didn't experience any of this because were in in our tiny apartment enjoying family time. Later in the afternoon but before the march we went out to the mall to grab some veggies but didn't see any protesters.

Mt Fuji Sight Seeing Part 3

SEGEN SHRINE

The Segen Shrine was build honoring the shinto god kami. It is the god of Fuji. There are multiple shrines in this one area and they all fall under the title Segen Shrine.

From what I remember of the narrative from our tour guide the multiple shrines within a shrine is due to the the changing top Samurai known as a shogun. For a while at least when there was a shogun who had taken power, he build another shrine doing his best to out shine the one before to honor kami.

Below you once again see the ever present Torii gate

Both sides of the entrance path to the shrine are lined with mossy stone lanterns which were donated by believers.

Here are depictions of two shoguns that I spoke of earlier

Here is the largest shrine and one that seems to be in current use at Segen Shrine. I saw many believers come up before the "altar" after having cleansed at the water trough, bow throw a coin over the railing and clap twice. Please don't quote me because I may have gotten the pattern wrong - I wasn't trying to stare

If you look closely at the right side of the shrine you will see the area where you can buy trinkets including your fortune - guess the monks think they know the future
Here is a smaller shrine. Please note the group of older men standing around, I will explain later.

Like moths to a flame!

Dylan is the flame obviously. Most times that we go out people stop us to stare, talk and try and touch Dylan. At first I was very disturbed with a bunch of people mobbing Dylan and I but have come to the realization there isn't much I can do. I have been told it is his reddish blonde hair.

So in the picture below: Dylan and I had just escaped from the group of older men you saw above who kept saying in English whose papa (very strange)only to be rushed by the school children. At least I think they were school age. An American on our tour was recording the whole thing - so great Dylan and I are now apart of some random guy's home video. I must say it would probably be hilarious to view from the outside. Since he was documenting all the fun I said you better get a picture for us. You can't even imagine the excitement that created. After which I said thank you. The students kept yelling thank you back to us - of course this thank you part was all in Japanese.




Below you will see barrels to your left and in the center and right hanging wooden shapes. Inside the barrels is sake. The hanging shapes are prayers. When someone make a wish/prayer they write it down and hang it on the hook outside the shrine. If the wish comes true they are to come back take the wish down and give an offering of thanks to the god.
I am not sure if you can click on the picture and enlarge it or if you would even want to. That black spot on the back of the man is a beetle! It was the young boys pet!! Ok I have a son and never had brothers is this the kind of pets I will be dealing with? My only hope - did you notice he had it crawling on Dad not Mom - smart boy!!

FUJI PEACE PARK

The Peace Park was built as a prayer of peace and happiness in Japan. The park seems to be dedicated to buddha and his underlings.

This disturbing statue was one of the two that "guarded" the entrance. I must say it doesn't look too peaceful. What do you think?

Notice the slippers/flip flops for buddha

Our guide told us that there are either 33 or 23 goddess who represent the students under buddha. I can't remember but I am not too concerned I have other things I would much rather commit to memory.

There was a statue for every one of these goddess along this pathway.

Here is the white pagoda. The dome-shaped stupa is thought to represent an upside down rice bowl. Our guide told us that under this pagoda some of the bones of the founder of buddhism are buried.

Notice the gold statue inside the "entrance way". There are four, one on each side, which represent the 4 seasons of life.

There is a row of lion/dogs or liogs if you like. Don't repeat that unless you want to sound really goofy! I just made it up. The liogs were donated by different countries with strong Buddhist ties to protect the pagoda. Two examples that I remember are Thailand and Hong Kong.
The next two pictures are of a cemetery in the back of the pagoda. I was told it is for WWII soldiers. This made me pause and contemplate what I know about the war, our two countries and most importantly were these men honorable or not? There were many atrocities by the Japanese that we don't learn about in school the Bataan Death March being only one of the more well known. You also have the sons, husbands and fathers who answered the call of duty.


Speaking of answering the call of duty, the USS George Washington pulls into Yokosuka for the first time tomorrow morning!!!
We are making history having a nuclear powered ship station abroad but you know all that matters - Rory will be here!!!