The ship arrived in port and all of the sailors who work with the aircraft are returning this morning. Each Squadron sets up a table with some food and drinks to welcome these folks back. They also have the packets that we distributed yesterday when they get back to the barracks.
Today was a quick set up. Usually they call and let Dave know when the buses are 15 minutes out...not almost here....not so today - they were almost here when they contacted him. Fortunately, only a few Chippies were on the first buses.
The first fresh Japanese greenhouse strawberries of the season.
Yummm!
Practicing Dad hugs!
Ever present aircraft around here.
Here they come!!
Great to be home!!
My, how he's grown!
Subway provided goodie bags that were filled with
lots of other treats.
More yummy goodies on the table...
Welcome back!!
Boys and girls alike!
Chippy Pilots were also here to welcome back their fellow Chippys! They have to come in earlier as they can't fly off the carrier when it's near port.
After the cleanup we headed home for lunch and then off to Costco to pick up goodies for the surprise party. Costco here is always a fun adventure!
Daikon Radishes - these are about 14" long and delicious!
Multitudes of mushrooms...
more mushrooms...
the sweetest carrots I've ever tasted...
ditto for strawberries.
Jill came to buy sushi for the surprise party. Each squadron is having a table representing a table where and CAGs wife has been since they came to Japan. The Chippy's table is Japan...hence the tori gate with pictures and the Japanese food.
sushi rolls.
This lady was making up crab platters.
We returned home and changed clothes and headed to the Japanese Hanger where the Japanese Military that shares the base were hosting American officers and their families to a Mochi Pounding. This Mochitsuki or pounding is an annual custom as the resulting rice buns are an essential part of the New Year's celebration. After some formal introductions and speeches they did a demonstration on the stage.
Dave was asked to be one of the demonstrators. The man in the kneeling sitting in the middle is the one who turns the rice between pounds...brave guy in this setting! After several demonstrations it was time to socialize and enjoy the wonderful Japanese finger foods. Everything from sushi to vegetables and wonderful custard desserts. Along the sides you could get noodle bowls, and other specialities, most of which we passed on. They did have juices and beer and a saki station where you got served the saki in traditional small wooden boxes....a little tricky to drink from!
There was also a mochi pounding station. They shared the last part of the process with us...we started in after the sweet glutinous rice had been soaked overnight and then steamed in wood steaming frames. The rice was then dumped into the usu (a mortar) made from a wood stump - that's where we started. The hot rice was then pounded with a kine (wooden mallet) until it was smooth and shiny with no visible rice grains left. The mochi was then turned onto a paper covered table and pinched off and formed into small buns. It was then cooled and ready to eat. Not too bad, particularly the ones with a little powdered sugar on them.
Colin...
Ryan...
There was also a station where you could get your name printed out in kangi. It was a delightful evening. We headed home on the bus and Jill and Dave took off for the surprise party and
the guys worked on finishing up the pumpkin and apple pie from the refrigerator! Another great day in Japan!
