CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY
Life, especially if it involves the military, is unpredictable. In fact, the only certain thing is uncertainty. And if you have a loved one in the military, chances are, someone in the equation has traveled long and far just to get a few precious moments. And sometimes those travel plans can be derailed interrupted by said certain unpredictable military life. I've probably said enough to spark flashbacks...not my intention. At all.
I want to help out a reader with a question. She is coming to visit her military boyfriend who is at Kadena. But she just learned that he might not be at Kadena when she arrives. She is not military. He'll arrange for someone to pick her up from the airport and provide temporary lodging on-base if she wishes. However, while she is waiting for his return, she does NOT want to sulk sulkily in her room, but to embrace the moment in true carpe diem style and see as much of Okinawa as she can:
I might take the shuttle to Naha to stay at a reasonably-priced place for a few days while I explore Shuri castle, Kokusai street, and as many other sites I can using the tram and bus system. While it would be very hard not being able to see the man I travelled 8,000 miles to see, I would be determined to do more than sit alone in his room missing him while there is so much out there to explore!
He will probably have to work a decent amount while I'm there, so I'm still looking for ideas about what there is to do on or near base.
This is the fun part. Please give our lovely reader your suggestions for how she can make the best of her stay. What would YOU do? Let's find a rainbow in the storm together.
For something close to base, she could check out the Botanical Garden. It’s less than 5km out of gate 3. She could also get the Cocock’s experience with the one location not too far out of gate 1. She should also check out the Lunch Ladies and Making Stuff Happen groups on this website. I know it’s a nice bunch of women and if she wanted to join us for lunch, I’m sure we could find her a ride.
If she is eligable or if someone can arrange it she could go on a few of the cultural tours run off Kadena, at least till she gets settled in. These tours are often a great way of seeing some of the local culture than can be otherwise difficult to access.
As Kate suggested-going on the tours are a great way to explore all Okinawa has to offer. She can take the New Comer’s bus tour that is provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Its a day out on the town and its free!! You go to Zakimi Castle Ruins, Yomitan Pottery Village, Onna Glass factory, Onna Station Market for some shopping and great food and then lastly to the old town Ryukyu Mura for some local entertainment.
I always thought there should be a sponsor for the wife of a military family because I know I would have liked to know more when I got here. I like to research so I did a lot before arriving and though I constantly resubmit applications for jobs I’m still jobless. So I have tried to fill my days with anything and everything. I have been here only 7 months and done more than some who have been here 3 years already.
I encourage her to just go for a walk-and explore-there is so much she can discover. If she is unable to do things because she has no military connections to go on certain trips or wants to go further then gate 2 street and gate 1-I’m free and willing to show her around. I know she doesnt know me and may be uneasy but I can still put her in touch with some great people at the Airman and Family Readiness Center and tell some cheap and easy ways to explore the island. I’ll give my email-because I don’t mind-any inquiries.
Good luck!
[email protected]
Also,
the classes on base at the Arts&Crafts are fun too-there is an Obi Tying class that provides materials and instructs you how to fold an Obi-its beautiful and a great souvenir for $60. There is also a Washi class every month at the Airman and Family Readiness Center and they do many crafts with the Washi paper as well-for free!! You should just email me-I can give you loads of stuff to do!!
Get scuba certified if you’re up for that!
Is she going to be able to get on and off base at will, if she is not a DOD id card holder? This might limit the mobility even if one of his friends is willing to sign her in on occasion. I think I would probably stay off base if that were the case so she would be able to come and go more at her own pace…
I was told by MCCS (granted, AF might have different policies) that as long as they had their visitors pass and passport, they could come and go at will. That was enough to get them on tours and base without their sponsor. She might try talking to the Pass place before heading out (make sure to get the name of the person!).
She could try a different resturant every night with the choices around here, she could have a meal from almost everywhere in the world, while still being able to enjoy the ocean views.
Speaking of the ocean, there is snorkling and of course scuba lessons. Maybe take up a new hobby while she is here, underwater photography. It would be a great way to remember everything she saw and to show family and friends when she returned home.
There are the tours like others have mentioned. She can also go through AAA and get an international drivers license before she arrives and rent a car, and take one of the highways and see all she can on that highway and then try a different route the next day. The lodging on base offers a list of places you can see off base and directions to get there. They are lumped together based on direction, so she could see everything going one way, and then head the other way the next day.
She could also join lunch ladies and meet people who are already here, get a great meal, and possibly a sightseeing partner until her bf comes back.
Thank you everyone for being so thoughtful with all of your responses! You’re helping anyone who visits and ends up having to do it solo for a while.
For a mere 55 bucks one can join “WWOOF JAPAN” and have access to more than 300 Japanese host establishments that will provide free meals and lodging in exchange for a few hours of volunteer work! Thirteen of the hosts are right here on Okinawa! Volunteers are needed from short one-week stays up to .. however long they CAN stay!
We’ve done it and had a BLAST! http://www.wwoofjapan.com
Hey! Just to chime in about coming and going without a DOD cardholder…I’ve been told that the only way the bases will allow you to come in through a gate without another card holder with you is to get command sponsorship. I’m not sure what the catagories are for granting that however. I didn’t know of this option but it would have greatly helped us out last year when my mother came to help out after our c-section. I felt horrible for her because she was basically trapped! She could go offbase no problem, but had no way of getting back on base without someone else with her. It was a pain to say the least. So, I’d definately check into that issue. I would hate for her to be at the mercey of someone else’s schedule to get her back to a lodging facility. Or like Mishka suggested…just finding somewhere else to stay offbase might be an easier option.
I can almost guarantee that you will not be able to come and go on base without a sponsor…that means you must be escorted at all times… She can not get “command sponsored” without an ID card–meaning, she has to be enrolled in DEERS, either a child or spouse of active duty. Look into a house guest pass–they had those in main land Japan… And, once again…the whole idea of sitting in his room (his BEQs? Not allowed) or temporary lodging? Temp lodging is for military and family– not girlfriends (unless he is staying there as well) If she is caught on base without her sponsor–he will get in a lot of trouble for that, not to mention she would get deported straight away (unless the AF does issue a pass that does not require a sponsor-and those may take time!) …not to put a damper on things, but it will be something that needs to be looked into!