Well, I think one of the first things we observed, after getting over the jet lag, was just how quiet things seem to be in housing. You'll see people in the public areas like the gym and the NEX and post office of course, but we rarely see our own neighbors unless we happen to bump into them in the parking lot. Again, this may just be how things are for us and not the case for everyone. We are quiet and try not to disturb anyone anymore than is necessary. We have a two year old so I'm sure some shrieks are heard here and there lol... However, we noticed very quickly that there are kids everywhere. They seem to always be out on their own, playing with their friends of course. They will avoid you for the most part. They aren't rude or destructive or even very loud...they just go looking for hang-outs together and since the bases are pretty small the popular hang-outs tend to be the food courts and play grounds.
I was quick to find and add the ship's FRG page to my facebook page, and while doing that I stumbled upon the page for the FRC (Family Readiness Center) They provide toddler playgroups, preschool, scrapbooking meetings, bunco meetings, and are available to hold other meetings as well. They post a calendar of events on their page. It's also useful to find and add the CFAS page since that will help to keep you up to date on the goings-on for the base as well as provide tons of useful information. We were given a Welcome Packet when we got our housing unit that had a bunch of papers with numbers to call for info or if you have questions. We kept everything and still refer to it often so it's been more than helpful. Again, the people here all seem to be very nice and helpful when they can be so you don't have to be scared to just ask questions of others. I tend to let my husband do most of the asking since I'm painfully shy, but I am trying to get over that here lol.
The FFSC (Fleet and Family Support Center) is where you'll go for your indoc classes. It's a week long and will give you TONS of information. Lots of power point presentations. They take you on a brief tour of the bases and part of the city of Sasebo. I think the best part was when they took us to the Hachiman Shrine and demonstrated to us how to make an offering. Definitely bring a camera with you lol.. On the last day of indoc class they will teach you the basics of driving here, test you and then you will, hopefully, receive your drivers license. :) Don't feel bad if you don't make it the first time, not many do lol...
I've also heard from several people that they had a kind of welcome party come to them and take them around the bases and town and show them where to go for things. That was not the case for us when we got here, but I hope that it will be for others. Having that kindness provided to us would have meant the world to us. I still haven't gone out and just explored many parts of the city here but I really would have loved to have gone around with a translator to help and guide me. Somehow we just slipped through the cracks I guess. To avoid this happening I strongly urge newcomers to get in contact with their sponsers or FRG for info about how to get shown around.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Map of Hario Village
Map of Main Base Housing
Map of Main Base
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