It felt good not to have to be on the USS Essex for a few days. I was excited to go up to Tokyo for the first time.  First, I had to go to Yokosuka for class. I got there on Tuesday and the class didn't start until the next day. It was only a one day fire fighting class. It would have been nice to be able to get some pics of that, but cameras weren't allowed there. Oh well. It was intense!!!!!!

So after class was over, We were able to drink again. and BOY!!!!!!!!!! I might have over-done it. It was STILL alot of fun. Didn't get out of Yokosuka, but still had a blast with my friends around town before they went back to Sasebo. I, on the other hand, got to stay up there because I had another class that started on monday.

Although some parts of Japan receive snow, the Kanagawa Prefecture rarely see its.   Living in the Kanagawa area for the past six years this the second time it has snowed here and it remained more than two days.  It was great waking up and seeing families outside playing in the snow, building snow men and snow women :).  All rules were broken on this great day because the hills located within the base are off limits, but for children whom some have never had the pleasure of sliding down a hill filled with snow weren't about to pass up this chance.   The Zushi prefecture (where I live) seems to get much colder weather than the Yokosuka area.  Although Yokosuka did receive its fair share of the snow, most of it was melted by the next day.  The Japanese toll roads had to be closed, and for some of us Monday were consider a snow day and we remained home to watch the super bowl.   This snow fall lasted more than three days and many traveler who aren't experienced enough to handle the road conditions learned the hard way.  There were over 15 traffic accidents the morning of the Great Snow Day

If your in Yokosuka for sometime, then the Honch is a covinent place to go. It's right out side of the main gate. There are bars with everytype of music. Georges plays country and it has a pool table and darts. You can also break out the beer pong table. Across the street is Rock City, it's not bad, just a little small. And of course they play rock. Buffalo's is a good one, they play all kinds of Rock and Alternative. Budwisers is a further away, but a good place to sing Karokee. There are a lot more bars on this one strip, but I haven't really rentured to them.

Right outside of base is the Honch.  This is where you will find many Sailors crawling from bar to bar to bar.  lol  It's a fun place and very convinent.  Be careful out here though, a lot of people get in trouble.  There are many bars to choose from.  My favorite would be "Georges" it's the only country bar we have here.  There is Buffalo's and Rock city (they play mostly rock and metal).  Budwisers is a Kareoke spot.  Malts plays some oldies and the have a beer bong. There are many other's, most have pull tabels and darts. 

Well this is for the ladies who may get stationed here or they are just visiting.  There are tanning beds here to start.  EXPENSIVE!!!!  Right outside of base there are two tanning shops.  The first one I went to was 2,000 yen a session, which is about $20.00 depending on the yen rate.  The other one I found you can buy a package for 30 days, it's about $143.00.  There are a few good places to get your hair done.  You could go on base, but there normally booked.  Right out side of base is a shop called "Romi Romi", they do a good job, just bring a picture of what you want.  Prices are about $70 for color and $30 for a cut.  There are a lot of nail shops (big surprise).  Shopping for clothes is not so good, unless you are short and tiny.  Being 5'10 is not good out here. I haven't been to Tokyo yet, i'm sure there are a lot more shops out there. 

Habo-saki, Habo snake in a bottle, I shouldn't need to say more...

they actually had a dunkin donuts

A bit of a bus ride down the coast, and we're there.