Home is where the Navy sends us!

We are having a great time, getting to know the new town we will call home for the next 3 years.  Sasebo is located in the Nagasaki, prefecture.  It's population is 252,ooo.  And, this is considered to be a small fishing village.  Right outside of our housing is Huis ten Bosch.  A famous tourist site here in Japan.   Walking around we feel the difference between Yokosuka and here.  Being so far away from Tokyo has many advantages.  I know we will be happy here for the next 3 years.  
I am still fighting off whatever I seem to be allergic to.  We thought it was caused by the bedding here in the hotel. But, after washing everything in our own soap I still seem to be blotchy.  If things persist I will call the Dr. tomorrow and see what he recommends. I can't walk around like this forever.  
Across the street and through Nimitz park is the Ginza.  A covered shopping area with many wonderful food choices.  I counted no less then 5 - 100 yen shops within the Ginza.  

Along the Ginza there are a few parks.  We walk a bit, and stop and play.  
As you cross the bridge to get to Nimitz park there is a Tori gate.  Right along the side of the road.   
This is the bridge we cross to get to Nimitz park.    We will spend a lot of time crossing this bridge.  Right now they are building the highway outside of the gate.  So walking to the Ginza sees to be the best bet.  For the life of me I can not remember the name of this bridge.  Alisa, if you are reading this help me out!!
These steps go right into the water.  For now we will admire it from afar!  That is a fast moving canal.  I could just see one of our kids trying to "go for a swim".  
Friday we were offered a house on Hario base.  It is about a 25 min drive from Main base.  Ian and I decided to load the boys up at 8 am and go take a look.  As soon as we received orders here I called the housing office and was told the wait would be 18 months.  We moved here expecting to live in a Japanese Cho (Japanese house or apartment).  I bought fans, and other things we would need to be comfortable living out in town.  When we were offered a house, we went back and forth on the decision.  Ultimately after looking at the house we knew we would accept housing.  Out list of reasons to move on base far outweighed our list to move off base.  Homes here are SMALL! I have heard they have decent sized houses but Ian and I looked at a few and they were all way to small.  Coupled with the fact that utilities here are VERY expensive, and most homes do not have central heat and air.  (Sasebo is extremely humid)  The boys are accustomed to living on base, and will be able to make friends and enjoy so many things.  We have a pool, movie theater, teen center, and youth center for Noah.  
The inside of this tower is a bit smaller then the one we lived in on Yoko.  I will trade that for the splashes of color that are throughout the house.  Even if the color is brown.  To me it is better then white walls, floors, cabinets. and base boards.   We will be able to move into our house on the 27 Th.  Tomorrow I will call the cable company, and personal property.  I know our house hold goods are here.  Now I just hope they can deliver them the day we move in.  
After a week here in Sasebo I can honestly say I am happy we decided to move here.  Life here has a slower pace, and the people spend their days fishing.  We will get to see wonderful places from here.  Kyoto, and Nagaski are top on my list.