Get Out!
OK, I'm officially a wimp. At least for the time being. I did a little personal analyzing and noticed that I've been here for 6 months and couldn't even find my way up to Yokohama if I wanted to. This morning I decided I was going to prove myself wrong and venture out into the wilds by myself with Josh. I decided on a fairly easy destination. The Yokohama Toys R Us. After looking at the maps trying to follow them to Toys R Us, I couldn't figure out the train route......WIMP! I called Mike in a desperate attempt for him to give me directions. That failed miserably just because we didn't have the same map/directions in front of us to compare. By the time we could get directions that were easy enough for my wimpy butt, it was to late in the morning to try to travel up there. I was so disappointed in myself. So, I just did a minnie trip up to Yokosuka-Chuo to check out the play area at one of the department stores. I ran into a fellow mom at the train station who was headed out to Tokyo for a modeling gig. After she left on the train I kicked myself for not tagging along. I should have gone darn-it. Boy, the department store play area was pretty much a waste. All they had were little 200 yen ride-ons and games. Josh did one ride and exclaimed he was all done. Thank goodness because I could've easily gone bankrupt letting him play there. We checked out the rest of the little department stores near Yokosuka and then came home. I stopped at the local bakery and porked out on loaf of croissant type bread and called it a day. By Friday, I promise you I WILL have an adventure. If Japanese mothers can do it, so can I!
posted by Unknown | 1:20 PM
12 Comments:
Japanese mothers have a distinct advantage. They can read Japanese directions... try to stay positive, get out there, and have fun!
Thanks for the encouragement. From time to time....well, like for these 6 months I've been stuck in this comfort zone. Just recently, I've been feeling restricted by this. I've learned that I just need to go head first into the deep end if I want to scratch the surface of this great country.
When i first started visiting Japan, I was scared that I might get lost. After a while I discovered that the coolest places I found were when i was trying to get un-lost. If you get lost, look at it as an adventure. it's not like you will be lost and never get home again.
David
An easy trip from Yokosuka with Josh would be the Ueno Zoo. If you haven't been there, try it.
Sounds like you got a lot of support form your friends--just plan something with another Mom--you'll feel more comfy and the getting lost part won't be so bad. Just remember, after 25 years, you can still get lost in your hometown--directions are not our strong point--like your friend David said--have fun getting lost! P.S. I bet a smile is the same in any language and you'll get lots of help!
You sound like most of the wives I encountered during my 12 years in Yokosuka! I never understood it, Japan is the safest and easiest place to get around that I have ever been! Just go!
I read your posts. I feel sad for you because Japanese train systems has many wonderful options, and many helpful workers. I read also your 'Yokohama Mama' post from Janauary- did you forget about train helpful day? I hope you will try trains again. Good luck.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience trying to get to Toys 'R Us. FFSC has some great maps at their office, and also on their website- most include driving and train directions http://www.cfay.navy.mil/fscyoko/maps/mapframe.htm
If they don't have a map already written out, then a lot of times you can ask them for directions and they have great info. If you are stuck and need help, you can also call them at 0468-21-1911, ext. 243-6716. I've gotten lots of help from them regarding getting around. They also have cards written in Japanese that you can use on the train if you are lost, asking for help to get back to Yokosuka. Hope this info. helps!
It has been some time since I last posted comments. We really appreciate the sharing of you on-going family adventures. Nicki I agree with anonymous. Half the fun in any new place is getting lost and then finding your way back. You are in a country where hospitality has been nurtured for centuries and the crime rate is far lower than it is in the US. I say embrace the day and go forward with that attitude that endears you to so many friends and family members. Take care until the next time. May the LORD bless and keep you and your family on this and all sojourns.
Hi, reply to some of the comments. Like Mike said, it's not so much being scared or not knowing where to go. It's being stuck in a comfort zone. Being with a 2 year old 24/7 does not really give me an opportunity to just hop on a train whenever the urge hits and get lost. If it were just me, Mike probably wouldn't see me until midnight sometimes! HA! I've got tons of books on cool places to go and we've also got some informative websites that we can hit up if we need to. It's mostly being able to keep to a nap schedule, lunch schedule, etc. Not to mention, Josh isn't interested in trying some new flavor of food so, I can't just stop into a nearby eatery. I have to make sure it's a place where Josh might eat something. What also is usually a 5 minute walk to our train station takes 20 minutes with a toddler. Anything usually takes 2-5 times longer with a toddler. By the time I made it up to Tokyo, it would be time to go home for a nap. Many of the train stations don't have elevators. It's better if I have a small group or another mom to go with so that I can have some help if my kid decides to throw a complete tantrum on a crowded train. Yes, Japanese people are for the most part very helpful and courteous. However, not all of them. There are times when I get the evil eye and times when Japanese men will snap at me when, I don't even know what I'm doing to offend. (they have no patience for a foreign WOMAN GASP!) It's hard to suck it up and apologize for something that I didn't even know I did wrong. If Mike's with me, I usually have him do the stroller up the escalator instead of me (if there's no elevator). Dragging it up 100 stairs gets tiring. There is less of a chance that Mike will get yelled at because of the whole being a man thing. This blog was just to vent and show that I was having a bad day. It's not easy coming into a completely different culture & being a minority for the first time in my life and, even though most of the time I enjoy being here, sometimes I don't want to have anything to do with it and still other times I feel guilty for not enjoying it or experiencing it when so many of our readers are living vicariously through us. This was just one of those days. Don't feel sad for me because I'm not sad. Hope that this gives husbands a window into understanding the wives. Just for the record, I also know a lot of single young men who have yet to set foot off of base. This is a learning experience and it gives me an opportunity to see how many visitors/immigrants to the states must feel sometimes. It's been a great opportunity so far to walk in someone elses shoes. Again, for the most part I really do enjoy this country. I also enjoy getting great feed back and helpful hints from our readers. THANKS! It's all part of the experience.
You have been on many an adventure so it seems since you have been there. Alot more than boring old me still here in San Diego. I barely leave the house. Of course with all 3 of my kids a trip to the CAR is an adventure.
Yeah....I hear ya. :) I've been on several little trip since writing my blog. I'll have to elaborate when I have the chance.
Post a Comment
<< Home