Or how I spent my Sunday…
Okay… I’m officially NOT having fun…
Up at zero dark 30 to head for the airport, oh %^&* the gate’s closed… Howinthehell do I get off this base now??? Finally find the open gate, haul it to the airport, fly to Tokyo, get on the train, change to another train, finally get to Yokosuka, hoof it to the base… pant… pant… pant…
Attend the meeting I had to fly up for, get about three words in edgewise, go back and sit in corner the rest of the meeting… And before you ask, yes I really did have to go to the meeting, couldn’t phone it in dammit!
Hoof it back to the train station, miss the train, wait 20 minutes for the next train, get on the train.
A small digression here- You do NOT want to get on a train in Japan during rush hour… Sardines in the can have more room (and more lubrication). I didn’t even have to hang on, I couldn’t have fallen over if I tried… One lady was asleep standing up (she was snoring). I did note one old gentleman who was lucky enough to be seated sipping what I’d bet was a water bottle full of Saki :-0 I literally saw the gamut of Japanese style, from an older lady in a full blown dress kimono, to kids in ripped jeans, and just about everyone was texting on their phones if they could reach them/move their fingers. And just about everyone, young and old, had earbuds and Ipods or variants…
Anyway, get off that train (not without a little pushing/shoving, change trains, get back to the airport, and MISS THE %^&* flight… Now I’m stuck for two hours.
Meet a nice couple from Dallas, flying into Okinawa to see their son re-enlist in the Marines. Their first times in this part of the world, so I get them something recognizable to eat, get them some $$ changed and we talk deer hunting for an hour or so…
Get on the last flight, fly back to Okinawa, get the parents hooked up with their son and off I go. Get the rental out of hock, drive back to the base, ARGHHH! The damn gate is closed AGAIN… Finally find the open gate, get lost three times getting back to billeting, finally get back to my room at 0100, and I have to be up at 0600 and in at work at 0700…
Just another day at the orifice… kinda, sorta…
Sigh…
and for an encore? … certainly sounds like a lot of hassle for 3 words. What’s next on the agenda?
“Howinthehell do I get off this base now???”
Apply foot heavily to accelerator. Hope the gate gives more than the car.
Yeah, I know. My advise would get you in deep poo, but you asked. 😉
Hope you’re back home soon and get some time to relax after this fun-filled adventure.
poor lamb! I’m amazed by what I’ve heard of the Japanese sense of personal space or the lack thereof.
Hope the rest of the trip is more sedate for you.
My sympathies. Reminds me of trying to get off Fort Sill over Christmas of ’85 just out of Basic. With all that traffic only 3 gates were open, Main(north), rear and the east gate. Line of traffic going almost all the way back to the base commissary on all 3 roads. Considering it was almost 14 miles from the main gate to the rear gate that was a LOT of traffic. We missed the connector flight from Lawton airport and I had to wait until 2300 for the next flight to DFW to get home. Your day though sir went Wayyyyyyyy beyond any inconvenience I might have had. I hope you get some time at home with your family soon. Also when you are back in the states could you drop me an e-mail need to pick your brain on something.
Julie- Getting the job done is the encore 🙂
Snigs- That thought DID occur…
Phlegmmy- It is interesting to experience! The Japanese really do not have any personal space, one of the reasons they are so fanatical about personal hygiene.
Mark- Roger on the inconvienence, but it IS part of the job… sigh… I’ll email you when back stateside.
Hilarious reading.
You live a very exciting life!
ADM- Trust me, I could do with a little less excitement 🙂
Geesh. I need a nap from reading about your adventure. 🙂
well, here’s to hygiene.
Was on gunnuts chat tonight, was sorta wishing to hear your voice on that show!
RT- Trust me, you’re not the only one…
Phlegmmy- I’ve been a hair busy :-)Of course it’s Wednesday out here, so I am a day ahead…LOL