Dinner out

We had dinner off-base on Sunday night. Trysta watched Jackson so it was just Mike and I. We went to a place where they bring you raw meat and you grill it on your table. There was a little cut-out circle that had rocks and fire and a screen over it. We got a plate of meat and veggies, plus a bowl of rice each and some goyoza (like pot stickers). The goyoza was good, but we've had better. The rice was VERY sticky and not very good. But the meat was pretty good. We had pork and beef and the pork looked like thick bacon on the plate, but once we grilled it, it didn't look like bacon at all. The beef was better than the pork, but both were pretty good. They were seasoned with a bbq-type marinade. On the way home we got a tad lost, although Mike is like a human GPS so we were fine. We came across Cainz home (like Lowe's or Home Depot) and went in. It was pretty cool. I'm sure we'll end up there again. We may buy curtains there, but I had the measurements we needed memorized in inches, so I'll need to convert to cm before we go back. We left Cainz and although Mike got us back to the base, he didn't see it so I get credit for pointing it out to him. =) We stopped at a 7/11 (they are ALL OVER--directions usually start with, "Go left at the 7/11, right at the next 7/11, etc.) and got some Japanese snacks. Mike liked his ham jerky and spicy potato-stick like snacks. I still haven't opened mine, which are like sour patch kids (I hope).

Akihabara

Yesterday we went to Akihabara (the electronic district). First we had curry for lunch at CoCo's which is a local favorite. Even the regular was a little too spicy for me, but we'll go back and I'll try the mild. Especially with my stomach in a constantly nauseous state, I'm thinking it might not be a regular dinner spot for a while. Mike and Jackson both seemed to really like it though. They have spice levels from 1-10 (and mild and regular are below 1). Mike had 5 (you can't get higher than 5 until you eat a whole plate of 5, then you can get 6 and once you eat that you can get 7, etc.) Who knows if they actually control that since, really, how are they going to remember everyone that's allowed to get 6 and up?

Then we got on the train and headed to Akihabara. It was a little over an hour to get there, with 3 transfers but one ride lasting over 30 minutes. Jackson was pretty tired as it was about 1:15 when we got on this train and he hadn't had a nap at all yesterday (despite my desperate attempts to get him down before we left). We tried and tried to get him to sleep. Finally we laid him on his belly across both our laps (head on Mike's, legs on mine). I patted, Mike sang and he was asleep in minutes... maybe seconds. Too bad there were only about 10 minutes left in the train ride. We left him as long as we could then transferred him to his stroller completely expecting him to wake up. He DOES NOT sleep in his stroller EVER. He stayed asleep! Miracle of all miracles.

He slept for 45 minutes despite the craziness in Akihabara and the NOISE that was surrounding us. Of course 45 minutes is a super-short nap for him and it was the only one he took so he went to bed for the night at like 5:00 when we got home... BUT he slept in his stroller. I keep hoping that the more he sleeps in it, the more he'll get used to it and maybe eventually he'll be able to fall asleep in it, too.

The electronics district was INSANE. I have never seen anything like it before. Just stores crammed full of stuff, crammed in right next to each other. Some buildings 5 or more stories high.

One we went into had kind of random stuff on the bottom arranged in categories like you'd expect (but with very narrow aisles--fun with a full sized stroller). But the second floor was all cameras and camera accessories (including a $9,000 lense). Then the third floor was laptops and iPods, the fourth was PCs. All the tall buildings are like that, with each floor dedicated to one or two things. One of the guys we went with bought something that hooks up two hard drives plus has USB so you can hook up to a computer, too and transfer stuff between all 3. The other guy bought $150 headphones. We bought a waffle with chocolate cream (I didn't eat much curry and wanted dessert). Then I needed to change Jackson and found a restroom inside a Mr. Doughnut so the guys decided to get some. Mike got me a chocolate doughnut with chocolate cream filling and chocolate pieces. And 2 doughnuts for him and Jackson to share. Then we were back at the train station and Mike found a cake place and bought a piece of cheesecake to bring home and eat after dinner. Ummm... maybe we missed the point of Akihabara? =)

The train ride home was uneventful. Jackson wouldn't sleep. BUT we did somehow manage to get on a Special Rapid meaning it skipped a bunch of little stops. So the ride home was much faster. And it was also a different line than what we thought it was and took out one transfer for us, which was nice to avoid with the stroller and all.

Weekend in Japan

This weekend we went out. Again. Mike got back from Guam on Friday night. We had a babysitter for Jackson on Saturday and Mike and I went to Cirque du Soleil. I'm sure that the performance would've lended itself to some wonderful pictures, but photography is not allowed inside the tent. So this is all you get:

All in all the show was great. We left the base at 2:00, got there a little after 3 and walked around a bit. The show started at 4:30, was over by 7 and we were home with Jackson by 8:30. It was interesting to watch, but I wish I had read the synopsis before we went so I knew what the story was about. Everything was in either Italian or Japanese. There were a few lines in English, but nothing significant to the story. Anyways, it was still a great show and I can't wait to see another one. Mike told me today that there is a Beatles Cirque du Soleil in Vegas. We are DEFINITELY going to that someday! The acrobatics and tricks and such were truly amazing.

Then on Sunday we went to a mall. It was an open-air mall and was a lot of fun. There was a stage in the middle and the guy singing only had one arm. Which Mike didn't notice the first time we walked past. So when we walked back by he asked if I knew the guy didn't have one arm and I was like, "um, yeah I saw it the first time." So he took a picture.

There were some white dome-like things similar to the ones we saw at Showa Park. Kids running all over and bouncing off them.

They had a lego store but the only thing age-appropriate for Jackson was ~$60, so it was out. It did however have a huge lego tiger that Mike was SURE was a bengal.

We went inside a "mall within a mall" type area. It had a thing on the floor that was like a video of balls bouncing around. But if you put your foot down the balls "bounced" off your foot. It was pretty cool and once Jackson got the hang of it, he had a good time. Then he spotted the camera and all bets were off.


We continued strolling around and came across a little kids' play area. I forget what it was called, but it looked cool. It was 500yen to get in for 30 minutes. So not a bad deal. Jackson was starting to get sleepy so I don't think he had as much fun as he would have had if he'd been in a better mood. But still had fun. There were a few merry go rounds that were motorized but went slow enough for him to get on and off on his own.

One was bigger and had animals to sit on on it, and the rest were just little spinning things to stand on. There was also a waterbed-type thing that they could play on.

Above that was a caged-in area with balloons and fans going to blow the balloons around.

Since Jackson is obsessed with air movement (wind outside, my blow dryer, etc.) I thought he would love it, but it scared him a little. He was okay as long as I was in there with him and he could sit on my lap if he wanted to.
There was also the standard ball pit which he wasn't thrilled about, but started to warm up to.

Then some kid jumped in and landed weird and kind of kicked him. It was totally an accident but it freaked him out and that was the end of the ball pit.
Then there was the hamster-like wheel. He was on it briefly but then laid his head down and realized if he sat in one place too long he might fall asleep.

He was also interested in sitting on the benches for the parents. I guess it doesn't take much to entertain him.

All that playing wore him out so we walked around for about another 30 minutes but didn't find any of the things we were looking for. Then we came home and he and I took naps before dinner. We went out for dinner off-base to a ramen (they spell it rahmen) place. Luckily the waitress quickly offered us English menus. Those are always a lifesaver so we don't have to go off of pictures and just point. They didn't have high chairs, so Jackson had his first booster seat experience, which Mike got on video.

All the restaurants around here give the kids those plastic bowls with a toddler fork and spoon. I guess they figure even Japanese kiddos can't use chopsticks from birth. =)

After dinner, we stopped at a house on base to pick up a couple of play items for Jackson. They're used, but still in decent condition. We got a plastic slide and a fish rocker.
He LOVES them both. We had to put a folded towel at the bottom of the slide for padding. He had a little trouble at first, but is rapidly figuring out the slide. We have to keep the blinds closed, because if he can see the toys he wants to be out on the balcony with his new playground ALL THE TIME.

Guam

Hi all, for those who don't know I spent last week in Guam. It started off with some confusion. I found out on Thursday I was going to Korea for the week. Then I found out on Friday I was going to Guam instead. I left on Monday and got back on Friday.

Guam is a cool little island. It's further south than I thought it was. Pretty much the same weather year-round from what I hear. We had highs in 90-95 range and muggy. It's also more expensive than I thought it was. Most of the "tourist area" is concentrated to hotel row. It's probably a 4 mile strip along the waterfront. Pretty much all the major hotels are there. High-rise, really nice 20 story type places. The strip is also lined with high-dollar type shopping. Prada, Gucci, all those type things line the street.

My room was very cool at the Hyatt Regency. It's really open. With the panel open you can sit in the bathtub and watch tv or get straight into bed. I was on the 5th floor facing the ocean. It's the prettiest water I've ever seen. You get extreme shades of bright blue as you go deeper. It's supposedly some of the best scuba/snorkeling in the world and from what I can see from shore it's easy to believe. I'm going to try and get certified in case I get to go back.

I got a chance to go golfing one day. Like I said, Guam is expensive. The best I could come up with was $100 for a round with military discount. So I played on base for $12. Wow, what a cool course. Palm tree lined, ocean front cliffside views. Reminded me of what I would expect Pebble Beach to look like. Plus I played the back 9 really well with some excellent driving and a solid on in two and two putt birdie on a par 5. I shot a 90, which was fine with me.

The next day I did some sight-seeing. I headed for the Latte Stones first. I didn't know much about them, but decided they might be interesting. They were in a nice little park. Apparently they were used as pedestals for supporting important structures by the Chorros (natives of Guam). These were moved from their original location of US military construction to their current site. At that park I also noticed some tunnel entrances with iron gates. They had nuclear fall out shelter signs above them. I went to investigate and learned that they are WWII tunnels courtesy of the Japanese. There was an info placard at the entrance of one of the tunnels warning about limited height and width and some of the history. I guess it's a pretty complex tunnel system, but I didn't get to explore since they aren't lit and I didn't have a flashlight. The placard just said "enter at your own risk" no accommodations provided. I went until it was pitch black, which wasn't far.

Then I was to the basilica. It was Spanish style architecture, pretty neat. There was something going on inside so I just took some pictures outside. Then to the Chorro shopping village. It was a nice place, I went in all the shops and checked stuff out. I got Jackson a maraca and ate at a waterfront restaurant. There was also a park area that I strolled around in. Of course, more beautiful views.

Next I headed to place called "Two Lover's Point". It's a popular tourist attraction. There's a cool little story about a couple in love who jumped off the cliff because she was being forced to wed a Spanish naval Captain when they were occupying the island. Here's a link with more info and some better pictures than I could take if you're interested. http://tinyurl.com/cxpm9y


One of the days we flew a mission to take pictures of a B-2 and F-22 formation. Apparently, this was they first time they had been deployed together and we were taking pictures to commemorate it. It was pretty neat stuff. Here's a few snapshots.

All in all, it was a nice trip. For those considering some travel, I recommend it. But beware, you might want to get there in the next year or so as the Marines are moving in in large numbers. I have nothing against Marines, but large numbers of them on a small island didn't exactly work out on Okinawa, which is why they're moving to Guam.

Today's Japanese Adventure

Friday night we had dinner at a pizza place off base called Nichola. We won't be going back anytime soon. We got small pizzas (6") for each of us. They were pretty good, but they were made with gouda cheese, which makes for an interesting tasting pizza. And for an appetizer we had "French Fried Potatoes" which I thought would be something... well, more than fries. Nope, just fries. So, it was expensive, slow service, and not great food.

Today we went to a city called Tachikawa. We also went to Showa Kinen Park (aka Showa Park). We were going to go yesterday but got a little bit of a late start, so we decided to go first thing this morning. Yesterday we just went to dinner off-base and to the Seiyu instead. The Seiyu is the Japanese Wal-Mart, except it's 5 stories. They have Great Value brand stuff and everything! But it's all in Japanese, so... who knows what any of the stuff is. We bought Jackson some shoes but that was our only purchase. The dinner was kind of a bust because it was a little expensive and not very big portions. But at least they had English descriptions in their menu.

Back to today. We found our way to the park from the base pretty easily. After paying 820 yen to park and 800 yen for Mike and I to get in the park (Jackson was free), we were thinking it was a rip off, but we were pleasantly surprised. We rented bikes for 410 yen apiece for 3 hours. We had Jackson's umbrella stroller, so I rode a bike with a baby seat on the back and we just strapped his stroller onto that. Mike's bike had a baby seat in the front for Jackson to sit in. I didn't get a picture, which is unfortunate becuase it's a very interesting-looking seat. I saw quite a few people with a baby on front and an older kid on back. I can imagine that would make it difficult to steer! So off we went on our bikes down the bike path. This park is HUGE! (Here's their website with a map and everything: http://www.showakinenpark.go.jp/english/index.htm ). We stopped at something called the "Bouncing Dome".

Turned out my pregnant stomach wasn't really enjoying the bouncing. And Jackson wasn't too thrilled with bouncing either. But he did end up enjoying sliding down the side. We were also going to go to the "Misty Forrest" where they do this mist thing for 15 minutes every half-hour.

But Jackson was getting tired and bored and we were all hungry, so we decided not to wait on the mist. We did however try the "Rainbow Hammocks" but once again, Jackson was none too thrilled with the bouncing, and it was kids only.

Then we bought some corn dogs and fries and rode our bikes to a shady spot off the trail to eat.

After snack/lunch we rode our bikes to the park exit. The bike parking lot was HUGE!

It was kind of funny to see the parking areas painted on the ground. Locked the bikes then we went off on foot. We went into downtown Tachikawa. That was an interesting experience. There were department stores and restaurants. Even a KFC and McDonald's which we have heard are very good. (Even the American restaurants have food that tastes a little different than the states.) We walked into one store that someone told Mike was his wife's favorite place to shop. We saw Prada shoes, a Tiffany department, and a Louis Vuitton store. We went out the next door we found. So much for that! We found a *tiny* Disney store. The coolest thing was that all the stores were connected on the second floor by a kind of upstairs sidewalk.

Almost like a mall hallway, except outside. It basically meant not having to deal with crosswalks, cars, sidewalks, people on bikes, etc. It was pretty neat to see. One of the buildings had restaurants on the top floor, and we walked around to see if there was anything familiar because I was kind of hungry still. No luck, it was all weird. But there was an outdoor seating area, kind of like a courtyard. Mike looked at maps, I sat (I was tired), and Jackson RAN!

After all the running/resting/mapping, we decided to head back to the park. We got a tad lost trying to find our way back but eventually got there. The problem was, they wanted tickets to get in. Except we had already paid and had our tickets torn. So Mike showed the ticket taker our two torn tickets and tried to explain we came in a different entrance. I think he thought that Mike's ticket just got torn in half. Either way, we got back in. Then back on the bikes, and back to the car. I had to change Jackson's diaper before we left and went to the bathroom myself. I pushed what I thought was the flush button but turned out to be a help call button. That was difficult to explain to the worker girl that came rushing to the door shouting something in Japanese that I can only guess was, "Are you alright?!" Oops.

By the time we got home it was about 2 and WAY past Jackson's nap time. He was hungry, so snack then nap. His sleep schedule was thrown off for the rest of the day, but I think it was worth it. He was back on track by bedtime.

Dinner tonight was at the Red Dragon Chinese restaurant off-base. I had been there before with a spouse group, but Mike hadn't been yet. It's a little expensive, but very good, and pretty big portions. The thing I get is served in a stone pot over rice, and they give you little bowls with it. You scoop out a small portion into your bowl to let it cool. It's bad manners to blow on anything except food for a baby here. I had extra to bring home for lunch tomorrow.

So I guess that's it for our adventures this weekend. Mike's headed off for another TDY tomorrow and hopefully he'll be home on Friday since we have tickets to see Cirque du Soleil on Saturday.