Iwakuni or Bust!

Well, last weekend we accompanied the District President and other District leaders to attend and participate in a military Branch Conference at Iwakuni.  We were especially excited to tag along since Iwakuni was the city in which we lived over 40 years ago when Elder G was assigned to Search & Rescue (helicopters) for the Marine base there.  We really had fond memories of our 2.5 years there:  our two boys were 6 months and 2.5 years old when we arrived and almost 3 and 5 when we left; we traveled greatly throughout the Orient while there, and both our parents and one grandmother came to visit; we also had a Japanese maid, which made it possible for me to attend various classes--ikebana (flower arranging), oshie (padded picture making), Nihongo (Japanese), and English, which I taught to a young family.  We were anxious to return to our "old haunts" and check out the Japanese house we first lived in, the American trailer-house we bought for $4,000 and sold for $5,500 two years later, the "Yellow Sign" cafe (so named by the Americans because no one could read the Japanese) off base where everyone went to buy awesome yaki-tori (teriyaki chicken on a stick), and maybe we'd even get in a visit to some of our favorite tourist sites.
We were really stoked up for the trip!

So much for stoking!  Actually, the trip was well worth the time spent, but just not all the expense!  First of all, our combined round-trip tickets on the numerous trains it would take to get us there totaled over $950, but we figured that was worth it all to return to Iwakuni and also to visit the new temple in Fukuoka.  I believe we had at least 5 train changes (all prior to boarding the Shinkansen) throughout the 7-hour one-way trip.  The most exciting of all this was riding the Shinkansen, or Bullet Train, which can go up to 200 mph!  The interior is much like an airplane cabin with rows of two and three seats, tray tables, and "stewardesses"  constantly coming down the aisle selling refreshments.  (Each time the attendants would leave our particular car, they would turn, face the passengers, and bow--very formal.)  It was definitely a top-knotch way of traveling, which cut off hours that would otherwise be spent on trains,
many of which we rode having to stand.

The first "hitch" came when we boarded a second Bullet Train leaving Hiroshima,
which we thought was headed towards Iwakuni.

Shinkansen - Bullet Train

Bullet Train and Fuji-san

The trouble was this train bypassed Iwakuni and went straight to Fukuoka!  This was not like on a bus when you can pull the cord and ask the driver to pull over!  Once we discovered our error, we had no choice but to ride the train all the way to its next stop.  Of course, as we were exiting the depot in Fukuoka, our Iwakuni tickets signaled the officials there that we hadn't paid enough for that long of a ride.  Our District President tried to explain our mistake, but they were unforgiving and said each of the six of us now owed $60 more.  They did, however, tell us that if we would get back on the train in the morning (It was now 11:30 p.m. and trains were no longer running.) and return to Iwakuni, they would "forgive" our debt and let us out of the depot for "free."  Unfortunately, our plans included attending the temple in the morning and riding back to the Iwakuni Branch in the two vans already rented by the Branch.  Needless to say, we told the truth, paid the fees, and went on to find a nearby hotel for a pricey $150 per room.

The visit to the temple was very enjoyable.  We took the subway from the hotel, pulled our suitcases along sidewalks for about a mile, and still made it in time to meet the Iwakuni members who had driven there.  Although the session was in Japanese, there were earphones in English for us "gaijins" (foreigners).  The temple is a very small one, but very attractive and nestled against a pretty forested hillside right in the middle of Fukuoka, a major city on the island of Kyushu.

Fukuoka Temple

More of the temple

By the time we drove back to Iwakuni, our first time of touching the soil there once again, it was after 6 p.m and dark!  We were both soooo disappointed!  Then, to top it off, we learned that we were being picked up at 9 a.m. to attend (and speak at) the Branch Conference.  I really had a hard time dealing with this disappointment, so I devised a plan.

The next morning we were dressed and out front of the base "hotel" by 7:30 waiting for a cab driver. (It was still dark prior to that.)  For another $60 we were able to get a 60-minute drive out to one of the local attractions, Kintai Bridge, a 340-year-old bridge, formed in 5 arches, built entirely of wood.

Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni - Iwakuni Castle on hilltop

Elder Galbraith on the bridge
I got one picture of Elder Galbraith before my camera batteries died.  (Murphy's Law, anyone?)  

The cab driver then took us back to the base where nothing at all was familiar as our old trailer-house area had been leveled to make room for high-rise barracks, and Elder Galbraith's Search & Rescue operations had been relocated.  Sadly, nothing was familiar.

We attended and also spoke at the Branch Conference.  (The Church meetings are held off-base in a chapel that was once a car dealership!)  Afterwards, the Branch treated all of us visitors and themselves to a Subway sandwich lunch and Baskin Robbins ice-cream cake!  It was really enjoyable visiting with young military couples (like we once were) and discussing the gospel as well as their activities in Japan.  For all the people we met there and also those we traveled with, we are very grateful for having made great new friends.  Some of these District leaders will be here in February when our Yokota Branch holds its Branch Conference, and we look forward to renewing these friendships then.

With lunch out of the way, we were then on our way--back home to Fussa/Yokota Air Force Base.  Farewell Iwakuni!  It was nice seeing you for--let's see--an hour or so?  Needless to say, we're still glad we did the whole trip as it will definitely be a never-forgotten memory of
great new friendships made and certain trains to avoid!

Kintai Bridge at night

One For The Bucket List

 Actually, this was the Arnells' Bucket List; and since they were leaving Fussa (to return home) last week and we were in possession of their former car, they asked us if we could take them to Hakone on Saturday, the 7th.  Hakone is a tourist town in the mountains, famous for its hot springs (remind anyone of Midway?).  The canyon floor was filled with many hotels providing tourists the opportunity to soak in the springs--"au naturel" is what we were told, but we can't swear to that.  Being the good missionaries that we are, we avoided said hotel areas and headed straight for the lake with its promised scenic sights.  We were definitely not disappointed!!!  The clear sky was a perfect backdrop to a blue lake surrounded by green pine trees with a bright red torii shrine in the water.  If this weren't scenic enough, it was topped off by an awesome white-covered Mt. Fuji in the background!  The beautiful sight was well worth the 25 mile / 90-minute drive!

Amazing Lake Ashi with a torii in the water and Mt. Fuji in the background
Toriis are Shinto shrines.

We were enjoying the site when, to our amazement, a beautiful "pirate ship" came into view.  It was one of many tourist ships at the lake providing rides around the lake and back again.  We tried to get on the next ride out, but it was booked full.  We would then have had to wait over 90 minutes for the next ride and just figured it was too cold to wait that long for an even colder ride on the water.
So we ditched that plan and settled for a local lunch instead.

Cool-looking "pirate ship" shuttling tourists around the lake

 As the little restaurant had no English nor romaji (Roman letters sounding out Japanese words), we ordered off the pictures on the menu.  We got a good pork cutlet, rice, and pickled surprises.  When we saw another couple being brought fried rice--which we just love!--I went up to the waitress and tried to order that.  Not knowing the word for "fried," I was unsuccessful with my verbal efforts.  However, nothing works like bringing the waitress over to the others' table and pointing!  ha!  (I have since learned the word for fried rice--chahan--so we now have a fail safe when all else eludes us!  In fact, on my walk the other day, I discovered a nearby restaurant, displaying pictures outside mostly of ramen noodles, rice and fried rice, and gyozas {pot stickers}.  We've already tried it out with our two local elders
and have given it our personal stamp of approval!!!)

Us freezing, but enjoying the sights!

Note that Mt. Fuji is now clouded over--a most common occurrence

A torii in the parking lot at Lake Ashi

I couldn't resist shooting a pic of Mickey in the back of an alley

Driving back to Fussa from Hakone, we stopped briefly at Odawara Castle.  We didn't go inside, however, as the entrance fee was somewhat expensive and it didn't include any English.  We hope to return another time with elders on their P-day.  It was a cool place and definitely worth the stop!  The Arnells and others  took advantage of the cheap rental costumes to assume roles of shogun or princess. 

Samurai, prince, and princesses in costume

Samurai Arnell-san and bride

On the 10th we and the Arnells drove 90 minutes to Kunitachi, where we enjoyed a wonderful Mission Conference with half of the mission's 160 elders and sisters.  The other half had already held their conference the week before.  President Albrecht gave an awesome presentation on goal setting and teaching the doctrine of Christ and of our loving Father in Heaven.  The zone leaders also did a presentation on improper and proper ways to "street"--talk to strangers on the street about the Church.  The conference went from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and was worth every minute of it.  Since the Arnells were riding back to the Mission Home with the President and his wife, we said our goodbyes then and promised 

to look each other up in our stateside travels.

I can't remember if I have mentioned this before but the Arnells are now basically" homeless."  They sold their home years earlier so that when called on a mission, they would have nothing to worry about back home.  They have one daughter and a soon-to-be-born baby to assist for a while; then they will be staying with another daughter and children for a year while her husband will be stationed in Korea.  After that, they look forward to serving another mission, and so forth.  They were awesome sponsors in getting us situated here in Fussa--in our apartment (theirs, formerly), on all the electronic hookups, at places to eat, and at navigating for Elder Galbraith as he drove on the left side to the many various locations we will need to access while here.  We will miss them but wish them the very best!

The week finished up with my attending PWOC on Wednesday for another Bible Study lesson on the Book of Esther, visiting two less-active sisters with the Relief Society president on Thursday, and Elder Galbraith and I visiting one less-active family one night and then two less-active sisters another day.  We did pay the Chaplain a visit, but to our disappointment, he was unable to share any members' local addresses with us due to "privacy laws."  We are hoping that our Branch President, as the local lay leader, will be able to get that information as he has received quite a few membership records for people  for whom we don't have any contact info.  Once we get that info, we will be able to assist the Branch President
in locating these members and visiting with them.

Out & About

It was just this Sunday, January 8, that the Branch President gave us some names to work on.  Apparently, he has quite a list of membership records for people he has not yet met.  Elder Galbraith and I now plan to put on our detective hats and do the best we can do to find if these people are even still here on base and, if so, contact them regarding our Church meetings, which are held off base.  Prior to yesterday's assignment we had a busy week dealing mostly with the missionaries.

On Monday, one set of elders asked us to take them to Costco as it was their day off, P-day (Preparation Day), and they hoped to get some items cheaper there than on the economy.  Needless to say, items were at least 1.5 times the cost of USA's Costco.  They had American items, American products with Japanese labels, and totally Japanese products.  It was very interesting, but not something I will patronize that often since we have access to the Commissary and BX at US prices.  It was quite the experience parking on the top floor of the parking tower.  Think about it:  How do hundreds of shoppers get their full carts back to their cars many floors up from the ground floor?  Well, you "board" the flat-stair escalator which is so highly magnetized that once your cart is on it, you can't even budge it an inch until you're ready to get off!  It was quite a clever procedure, and we got a kick out of it.  Of course, with land being a premium in Japan, parking towers are the only way to go for stores as popular as this!

The elders wanted to capitalize on their having a "free ride" on their P-day, so they suggested we drive to a nearby town in the mountains.  We were glad to get out of a city of nothing but cement and buildings and get into something more scenic.  It was a great outing, and we enjoyed participating

 with the elders on this day off.

Okutama

Elders Christensen & Graham beside a huge 700-year-old tree with three trunks

Old fogies on a foot bridge

Wednesday morning found Sister Arnell and I attending PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel) at the base.  They meet weekly for Bible Study and also do various service projects and outings.  I joined the group that will be studying the book of Esther.  For the next 9 weeks, we will watch a one-hour video (presented by a very highly animated female evangelist from the South, who also wrote the workbook we are using), and  then we will have 30 minutes for discussion.  Each of the six groups will take turns at furnishing the breakfast treats.  Although the video presenter was a little too dramatic (kind of a Kathy Lee Gifford on steroids), I did think she had some interesting points to make.  We hope that by our attending this meeting and also volunteering in other activities, like Red Cross, that we will make our LDS presence known here in Fussa (Yokota Air Base) in a positive manner.

That night the Arnells and we assisted the local elders in their weekly evening English class at the Church.  Sister Arnell and I taught the seven Japanese attendees how to cook Rice Krispie Squares and No-bake Chocolate Cookies.  The Japanese thought the chocolate cookies were too sweet, but they really liked the Rice Krispie treats!  It was fun having them follow directions and discuss instructions as we cooked.  Afterwards we played a game akin to Duck Duck Goose, called "Do you love your neighbor?"  It was fun as the participants answered "Yes" or "No, but I love those who wear a tie (or wear glasses)," for example, and then the one in the center scrambled to take a seat as all the people with ties (or glasses) changed seats.  Childlike as it was, it was still good English practice for them and fun for all
as we tried to stay out of the center of the circle.

Spooning out the No-bake Cookies

I got to eat the last one!

After Thursday's Zone meeting, we and the Arnells were able to get all 18 missionaries (16 elders and 2 sisters) onto the base for lunch at Chili's.  It  took about 35 minutes to get each one registered for entry on the base!  It was just great seeing them have such a good time together visiting over AMERICAN food.  Unfortunately, the deep fat fryer was broken, so no french fries were to be had; however, we did see plenty of nachos, hamburgers, ice cream sundaes, etc.  They really had a wonderful time, and so did we watching them all!  Afterwards, a couple of them wanted to go to the BX where they bought Japanese souvenirs to send home.  One elder said it was his best P-day ever!!!

Some of the eighteen missionaries

"Real tacos!  I'm in heaven!"

"And a real brownie sundae, too!"

A super great time was had by all!!!

Friday we and the Arnells drove to the Tokyo temple where we met two other senior missionary couples (the Bridges serve at the temple, and the Johnsens serve as military relations down at Yokosuka).  Our day included touring Tokyo's Imperial Palace grounds and attending our military district's temple night (English session!).  Since the Bridges are called as temple missionaries, they do not have a car and are very proficient at getting around on trains and the subway.  (It doesn't hurt, either, that both 
served their missions in Japan over 40 years ago!!!)  

Note the moat below and the fortress walls above

One of five Keeps (guard houses) along the fortress wall

Another Keep (dismantled in Kyoto and rebuilt here)

Us on the palace bridge

Modern Imperial Palace - 23,000 square feet

View of Tokyo skyline from palace bridge

We had lunch at a nearby soba restaurant recommended by the District President.  The welsh onion &  pork soba and tray of gyozas we all ordered were fantastic!  

Us placing our soba order electronically with Elder Bridge translating

Senior couples enjoying the soba lunch

We then took the subway - having to make one transfer - and got off at the Imperial Palace.  I was initially disappointed since I was remembering the centuries' old Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan's former capital until the mid 1800s.  This new palace in Tokyo was built in the1960's as the ancient one was burned during WWII bombings.  Once I got over that disappointment, however, I really enjoyed walking through the beautiful grounds where a once magnificent castle stood.  It was still impressive to view the castle moat, the fortress walls made of huge stones, the various Keeps (guard houses built at each bend of the fortress wall), and the new buildings built on the grounds.  We were all amazed that we could walk right on the grounds in front of the Palace as that is not something that could be done with our White House!

After the tour we walked to the New Sanno Hotel, a US-owned hotel for military people.  It is new and luxurious and right in the middle of Tokyo.  While there, we couldn't make up our minds as to where to go for dinner, so the Bridges invited us back to their small (maybe 700 sq ft) apartment right next to the temple.  Both Sister and Elder Bridge were able to cook up a wonderful impromptu dinner of Japanese sauce-flavored thin pieces of beef and onion served over rice along with the typically Japanese julienne-shredded carrot and cabbage salad.  All the US ladies love this particular sesame salad dressing (which tastes a lot like Beni Hana's dressing), so we were glad to see she had some on hand.  It's jokingly called "Okinawa Crack" as it must be made there and is definitely addictive!  They pulled out some Japanese cookies and US Jello puddings, and all eight of us agreed that the meal and company couldn't have been better!  After dinner we walked 100 feet to the temple and did a session.  It was fun seeing quite a large number of the military branch there.  The drive from the base takes between 1-2 hours each way and over $25 in tolls round trip.  It costs about the same to take the train, so it is actually cheaper when two couples carpool.