So we are back in your neighborhood, at least in that we are most likely on the same continent and possible the same time zone. I received word from Jon Thursday night (Mar 24th) that we would likely be leaving this week, Wed. to Friday. It was nice to have a solid time table. I went through the luggage and unpacked a couple of things, reorganized a bit and relaxed with the knowledge that we did not have to be on call to get up and go.
Then I got a call from Jon Friday morning telling me we were leaving Saturday morning. Hmmm… At least he called before we had left for the train station and our adventure. Instead I sent the boy out back to play and repacked everything. Again.
Luckily the wind had shifted Eastward and the air was safe again. So the two eldest children went out to play after school, soon joined by baby and me. They got out the wiggle and finally had some fresh air, saw some inu friends (dogs) and played in the universal language of kickball.
Jon’s work command arranged for a bus to move evacuating departing SRF families to the airport Saturday morning, and there was room on the bus so he joined us for the ride and killing time at the airport. We left at 11am Saturday. Killed the time, said goodbye to Daddy, who caught the train home, and went through security. Everything was fairly painless and we boarded our plane for the 6:05 pm departure. The kids slept most of the time and watched a movie, we had salmon and noodles for dinner and pizza for lunch(?) with a sandwich in the middle. We then landed at about 3:40pm, Saturday at O’hare Airport. The lovely staff helped to get my numerous carry-ons, carseat and stroller off the plane (in part because I was holding them up), helped us to get a ride on the big beeping cart, smoothed our way to baggage and customs and wished us well. We received a free luggage cart (in Ohare!!!) and collected the baggage just in time for a huge line of spring breakers to be headed into customs, but I with my stroller, luggage and three kids was diverted to the no line area; a “we just evacuated from Japan” and a wave through got us to the handy baggage check-in point for connecting flights. That was where my lovely parents popped out to surprise the kids and I and provide an escort to security for the connecting flight. Plus some brief quality time with (and treats for) the grandkids. Thanks Mom & Dad!
We hopped though the security line (after removing Ioanna’s shoes and ours…no shoe removal in Japan btw) and had a treat of McDonalds for dinner(?) and boarded a mostly empty flight to Newark where we landed at about 10pm Saturday. We had another lovely flight crew escort us and our carry-ons off the plane and down to the main area where a delighted A & T greeted Poppy. We made it to the house by 11:30 pm where a pot of meatballs was waiting to greet us. Yay Yai Yai!
All told we left 10:30am Saturday from our home in Japan and got in 11:30pm Saturday to the current home in NJ. 3 suitcases, 1 stroller, 1 carseat, 8 carry-on, and the children, one of which counts as a carryon seeing as she walked nary a step and I had to heft her the whole time. The carseat and heaviest bag were in the stroller. That was the longest Saturday of my life, about 30 hours if I am doing the math right, but I am still a bit jet lagged, so no promises.
So Jon is bach-ing it in Japan with all the other DOD Geo-bachelors (single by reason of the family being far away). The men are petitioning the base captain for rights to the general mess so that they can feed themselves somewhat well. Barring McD’s, the mess is the only place open on a regular basis and it seems many men don’t bother to put any time into meals for themselves.
The radiation level in Yokosuka is going up and down, depending on the wind. Some was found in the water (one of the three city sources so plenty of clean water still available). No word on when the families will come back, but they are still trying to settle everything out so that is understandable. We are roughly planning on 30 days plus processing time. In the mean time we will hang with the grandparents and play outside in the freezing cold weather.
I have my old phone reactivated so if you have my Florida number (904) you can give me a call or e-mail of course.
Current plan: New Jersey for 2 or 3 weeks, Illinois for the remaining and then home...Japan
