Typhoon

Once we landed in Okinawa we proceded to the terminal to check in and go through the correct custom procedures they had for us. After collecting our bags (only one casualty we're happy to report) we were met by one of my husband's colleagues who would be introducing us to the island and helping us get around until we're settled here. 

                     

Our first stop was Karing Kennels because we were unable to get a pet-friendly hotel room. We checked Samwise in and got him all settled with the staff there. Due to the quarantine laws in Japan Samwise has to stay there until we move into base housing. They're used to this over at Karing Kennels and are very accommodating and friendly. I have been able to visit Samwise every day that they have been open and he seems at home there. When I visit him I am escorted back to his run and am allowed to go into it in order to put his harness and leash on before bringing him outside for his walk. They have also allowed me to use one of their fenced-in areas for my one on one play time with Samwise. If I have ever mentioned anything to them about Samwise's needs they have attempted to see to it right away. No matter how many times I visit they are understanding and willing to walk me back to the run so that I can take Samwise out. They celebrate with you when quarantine is over or when on-base housing is secured because they want you to be reunited with your dog as much as you do. For my first experience with a base facility and with this particular kennel, I give them two thumbs up! Karing Kennel's hours are Sunday-Saturday 1000-1800 (excluding federal holidays) and dogs can be checked out anytime throughout the day but must be returned by 1730 and you must follow quarantine guidelines when checking them out. 

Once Samwise was secure we headed with our sponsor to our hotel and checked in there. Around 2130 we had finally completed our journey to Okinawa and were ready to sleep. I know a lot of people were worried about the impact jet lag would have on us but the truth is we were so tired from the journey that it did not affect us our first night here. 

On Saturday morning our sponsors treated us to our first meal in Okinawa out in Sunabe. We ate at Seaside Terrace and had some delicious comfort food! When I said "first meal in Okinawa" french toast is most likely not what you imagined but is exactly what we had. It was, in a word, yummy. The bread was thick, fluffy and sweet. So much so that I ate a good portion of my french toast without syrup. The eggs were fresh. The bacon... well, can anything ever be wrong when it comes to bacon? And the coffee. Friends. The coffee. So good. For the first time in my thoughts regarding Okinawa, I thought, "I can do this. I can drink this coffee every day." Yes. It was that good. So when you come to Okinawa eat at Seaside Terrace. (A big thank you to our sponsors for treating us to breakfast and introducing us to this spot!)

After seeing just a small portion of the local area (i.e., Sunabe) we headed back to the commissary to get a couple groceries. As I mentioned in the previous post, we arrived right before a typhoon so we had to learn quickly how things operate here during a typhoon. The first thing we learned is that when the wind reaches certain speeds the base goes to different precaution stages. When certain stages are reached base facilities (like the commissary) shut down. So we went grocery shopping in order to have food throughout the storm. 

That Saturday evening the storm began and by Sunday morning the typhoon was underway. For my friends back in the States, don't let typhoons alarm you, they are quite similar to hurricanes and Okinawa has been enduring them for generations. The buildings here are designed to endure the winds and rains brought on by these storms - so do not fear! 

We didn't do much traveling over the weekend due to the storm so I don't have too many adventures to report. We spent our first weekend watching a typhoon happen outside our window. We watched church online as the chapel on base did not have service due to the inclement weather. We then binged watched CNBC's The Profit because who doesn't enjoy watching Marcus Lemonis save small businesses while 50mph+ winds rip and rain flies outside? 

After this weekend I learned that not every adventure in Okinawa is going to be glamorous or dramatic, some of them are going to resemble the old days in Cherry Point, NC, and I am okay with that.

By Sunday evening the storm had passed and we were given the all clear. This means that everything is safe and sound and people can leave their homes and return to business as usual. And with that, I'm going to return to business as usual here in Okinawa and will post more soon. Last time I gave you the typhoon as the spoiler for the next post. This time I'll give you two words as the spoiler: left side.