Comment

Comment by T-Lynn on April 8, 2009 at 5:14pm

Dear Kim, Anti, Melia - and others. If I could list all of you - I would. Everytime we share, a sailors is getting help. Thank you. But I am serious about that book! A simple book with suggestions - FACTS known about the different bases, emails, a page for THEM to write down contact numbers, money exchange, etc. If I can figure 'how to" start this book, I'll share. Then figure out how to get it made - with out costing an arm and leg. (Need to keep those - if gas prices go up again - hehe) Anyway - I have to go - crank duty again. But thanks for all the lsitening ears. Terry PS Guess I am so jumping - son is out on Spring tour and no words from him in long time. Just mommy jitters.

Comment by Kim on April 8, 2009 at 4:57pm

Your right Terry. I am sending it to my son too. He still has not gotten his passport. I think this comes under the sponsers job. Let's face there isn't a sponser in the world that is ever going to do as good of a job as mother. That's why we have Navy for moms and people like Anti. Sorry if my cell phone research was too much, but I did have fun doing the research.

Comment by T-Lynn on April 8, 2009 at 4:47pm

Thank you Anita!
I am eamiling your statement to my son aabout the past port Please - why is this not shared at A-Schools? My son was TOLD to fly to Japan in his dress whites! This was back in Ocotober, 2008. He is stationed in Sasebo. When I first came on this site and reading problems that occur for our sailors - I suggested we create a handbook with little facts for sailors. Like cell phones, clothing, sponsors meeting them, where to look for help at an air port, etc. Not trying to be an emotional mom here - just not understanding - why - why this information is not shared. So thank you and everyone sharing. HERE, there is always an answer found. Terry

Comment by Kim on April 8, 2009 at 4:47pm

I did some research on the cell phones. Japan uses a different tecnology than the rest of the world so "most" phones will not work. There are some (I think the G3) that may work but unless you can buy a prepaid SIM card you wouldn't want to use them because you would always be paying long distance and roaming on your current U.S. plan. Most countries use GSM (but still check the frequency). I found a prepaid SIM card for the Phillipines that my son could put in his U.S. phone that would give him a local Phillipine phone number. Long distance to U.S. is .40/min, .08/text. All incoming calls and texts are free. He would need a different SIM card for each country. I am not sure it is worth it. Verizon is CDMA technology, but I heard they are changing and some of their newer phones can be used internationally (Don't quote me on that).

Comment by Anti M on April 8, 2009 at 3:14pm

Verizon will not work. We asked when we went on vacation, and were told no, unless we purchased special "vacation" phones. Ha!

The electricity is the same voltage. The cycle is 50 HZ instead of 60, some items run just fine, some do not. Wait until the sailor can hit the NEX over there to buy an adapter, they carry them for that very reason. Good selection, good prices.

Aviation rates are most likely to go to Atsugi (closest to Yokosuka/Tokyo), possibly Misawa in the north, or Okinawa. If they are attached to a carrier, that's Yokosuka, but the squadrons are at Atsugi.

Jessica, even over twenty years ago, we were told to travel on the civilian passport if possible. There were hostage high-jackings then, more than now (?). The bad guys would go through the passengers and check for military ID cards and passports. You were in for a lot of hurt and possibly death if they thought you were American military and not civilians. These days security is better, but being a civilian in a hostage situation can be a lifesaver.

Comment by Anti M on April 8, 2009 at 11:19am

My husband had the two passports, however I only ever had the civilian one. Maybe because I already had an active civilian one in hand.

Bikes are a very good idea in Japan. They do get stolen, I had a nice new one taken because I didn't click the lock all the way. I recommend a good lock, and use it! Some guys even steal them just to ride around base. Hubby and I used to go commissary shopping on ours, we had front baskets and side pannier baskets, plus backpacks. We could carry quite a lot! we brought a full-sized Christmas tree in a side basket! Quite the balancing act. He even got stopped for speeding on base because he was passing the cars. They couldn't give him a ticket, but they did give him a talking to! Riding in town can be hairy until you get the hang of switching off between the street and the sidewalk. We didn't buy my bike on base, I got it at Daiei, a "lady shopping bicycle." Only three gears, all I needed. I think I went through three bikes in three years the first time I was there, and four bikes in nine years the second time around. They were our commuter vehicles.

Comment by Kim on April 8, 2009 at 11:13am

I am so jealous of you girl moms. lol. People that I work with have been to Yokosuka and they told me that they rented bikes. I will keep working on my son to phone me.

Comment by Kim on April 7, 2009 at 11:45pm

Thanks melia. Wish I knew this before I went. I am still trying to get my son to get a cell phone that I can reach him at. He has Skype but he is never on it. Finding the DOD at Narita was easy as soon as I knew what to look for. They where extremly helpful. I was just clueless and wandered around for an hour. I volunteered for the assignment thinking I might see my son. Unfortunatly, he was deployed the whole time I was there.

Comment by Kim on April 7, 2009 at 10:58pm

Thanks Melia, this is cool, I will look into it. I work with alot of high tech guys, they are a great resource, but they have no experience in Japan.

Comment by Kim on April 7, 2009 at 10:22pm

but did they try prepaid sim cards?

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