Moving to Japan
In March 2010, my family and I boarded a plane to Japan. We were moving there for the last three years of my military career. After a series of connections, and a chance meeting with snowboarder Shaun White in customs but no proof, we safely made it to our hotel room a world away from home. Our lodging on the base overlooked the Sasebo River and faced the Sasebo Seaside Park. It was late.
We were still wide awake at four in the morning. We pulled back the room curtains and saw a fish market already awake, too. We got dressed and crossed the river on foot to see what they’d caught. I was impressed with hot and cold drinks from the same vending machine, but who knew what I would receive. What’s the difference between “Tasty”, “Vintage” and “Advanced”? I’m still not sure. I’ve traveled a bit so I can guess what “European” tastes like.
There wasn’t much to see since nothing else was open so we crossed the bridge again and went back to our room. This was our view until we moved into a Japanese cho 45 days later. Our introduction to Japan.
