Patience, Patience, Patience

A requirement of a Navy move to Japan is the Area Orientation Brief/Inter-Cultural Relations (AOB/ICR).  Five days long, it is supposed to prepare newly arrived individuals for living in Japan.  I would say that the first two days are a myriad of briefs that are no different than any brief a sailor would get in the states.  I mean they were all helpful in pointing out the location of their offices on Yokosuka but beyond that they were relatively little value.  The briefs are generic and tailored for the brand new sailor; new to the Navy, new to Japan.  I was especially fond of the preaching lecture I received from the DAPA (Drug and alcohol guy).  I was surprised he could see us meager alcoholics from his pulpit!  After his 45 minutes, he was allotted 20, I Googled Betty Ford to see if they had any openings, but then I figured that would be quitting.  

The next three days, were great.  The class was taught by Mr Aoki.  A Japanese citizen who works for Fleet Family Services.  I'm not sure of his complete history, but he went to college at the University of Alabama and has been teaching ICR for about 10 years.  He taught us many things Japanese from Sumo, to money, to religion etc.  It was excellent.  The final exercise was a field trip to Kamakura, a city that used to be the capital of Japan in the Shogun era, approximately 1100 to 1350.  Amie and I saw some Shinto Shrines, did some shopping and ate just a little bit.  The most important part was us finding our way home on our own using the trains!

The final event of the AOB was the driving test.  Today was a safety brief and written exam to which I am happy to report that both Amie and I passed.  We now have a practical test Monday morning and then we'll be let loose on the roads of Japan.  I don't think we'll leave the base too soon in a car.  Driving in Japan is a bit intimidating, while the speed limits are less, the roads are narrow and the signs are, not surprisingly, a little difficult to decipher.  The one great piece of advice about driving was given by Mike, the local driving registration guy who's been driving here about 10 years, which was to be "Patient, Patient, Patient".

The one thing needed in excess, that can not be stocked up on but you pray you have enough...patience!  Navy Lodge living requires an inordinate amount.   Fortunately, the other good news we got this week was the housing situation.  Well, sort of good news.  We will be able to move into a house January 15th.  Unfortunately, that will be a temporary house until one becomes available on base Yokosuka.  Until then we are living in the Lodge.  At least we have two rooms, I just hope I have enough patience to last!