One thing that really blows my mind because it is SO genius is the stickers required by the Japanese government to put on your car. The one I have attached here is the one I am REQUIRED to display on both the front and the back on my vehicle for 1 year because I am a new driver! This is good because then people understand why I have no idea which way to turn or why when I am trying to turn my wipers go on (I am getting better at this by the way). This is also a way to let other drivers to be cautious around me because I am still learning. On base pretty much everyone has a sticker on their car so you don't really stand out, but when you are off base, people may give you a little more room and look out for you because of it. There is also a sticker required for the 70+ population to have on their cars and also a pretty blue flower one for those who are handicapped. There is also one for the hearing impaired so that instead of honking your horn, you know to use your lights to get their attention.... sooooooooo super smart! Also, because the speed limits are so slow.... even off base, there is a very low rate of accidents. Here in Yokosuka most of the accidents (mostly fender benders) are caused by the Americans who live here! One really crazy thing they do here is if you get into an accident with a taxi or a bus and take them out of service... you are responsible for paying for any fares they may have lost for as long as they are out of service.... Bascially the last thing you want to do is get in an accident with a taxi!!!Another BIG deal here is recycling... like super intense recycling! We live on base so it either goes in the "combustible" or "non-combustible." This was hard for me at first because I wasn't 100% clear on what to burn and what not to burn... but most of our trash goes to the combustible except for cans/bottles. Off base is a different story... They have trash pick-up 5 days a week and each day is for something else... very specific... paper, plastic, metal, food waste, etc. Very often they will actually look through your trash bag to make sure you have separated properly and if they are not happy with they way you have they will bring your trash to your door and leave it there with a "notice" on it. If this happens more than a few times they will refuse to pick up your trash!
Right now we are still in a state of energy conservation post earthquake/tsunami/nuclear power plant meltdown. These orders come from the government so we have to abide by this on base as well. In most buildings they have all but 1 elevator working and they have kept the air conditioners from running too cool as well. Supposedly by September 30th, the energy ban will be over and we can go back to normal usage.
I am still constantly impressed by the politeness of the Japanese people, they stop to ask if you need help if you look lost and they say "thank you" so much! When we leave a restaurant I swear we thank them back and forth about 4 times! I love it!
The other night we went out for Thai food, it was really good! Damian has been busy at work getting ready for an upcoming deployment and I have been busy with orientation for the hospital. Yesterday afternoon the medical department of the USS George Washington had a picnic by the water here on base. It was nice because everyone got to just chill out and get out of work early and it was pretty fun! We stopped at the post office on the way home and ALL my boxes arrived... yeah for more clothes and my hairdryer!!! Our household goods finally shipped from the US port the other day so at least our stuff is on its way! I'm hoping it gets here in the next few weeks... it will feel more like home then. Last night we had a 6.2 earthquake... the epicenter was just off the coast... the apartment shook for awhile... mostly because being on the 8th floor it sways a bit after the actual earthquake... I'm still not used to this!Japanese phrase of the day:
Ogenki desuka: How are you?
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