As soon as Chris and I decided yesterday that I should leave, I bought the earliest available ticket out (leaving Saturday). Then he called me and said, “The entire squadron is moving north to be closer to the search and rescue area. I’m leaving tomorrow morning.” I said, “What are you going to do with the cats?!” He said, “Well, now it’s what are you going to do with the cats?”
Prepping cats for international travel is a huge pain. My first thought was to ask a friend who planned to stay if she could take them in. That’s what we do when we go on vacation. But I quickly decided not to ask anyone else; if everyone decided to leave, where would that leave Pounce and Mouse? In a kennel indefinitely? (Earthquake) It all seemed impossible.
There’s only one military vet who can clear animals for travel. It’s impossible to reach them under normal circumstances. Plus, each person can only take one animal on a flight. I was feeling pretty hopeless. I called Delta. The surprisingly helpful guy informed me I could escort one kennel of animals if both cats fit into one (yes!). But when we brought the cats here, in addition to the troublesome required nine-month rabies quarantine, we also had to spend SIX HOURS after our trans-pacific flight driving to the complicated cargo terminal to get them. That’s impossible to do by myself.
The guy said, “I’m not sure what you’re talking about when you say cargo. If your pets are too big to be a carry-on, you would take them to the baggage counter with your suitcase.” The room brightened. I can do this! I thought. I called the vet. Miraculously, I got through on the second time!! That has never happened before! “I don’t know if you can help me, but I’m trying to evacuate my cats,” I said. “That’s no problem. We’re doing walk-in travel health certificates for two hours this afternoon,” she said. Another miracle!
I scooted to base, got the car from Chris, collected the cats at home, drove 35 minutes north to the Army’s Camp Zama, had no traffic (another miracle), signed up, the cats stayed calm (another miracle), and we got all their paperwork done. Then I jetted over to Atsugi’s medical clinic to pick up my medical records (earthquake #2 while typing). Everything was closed, but they were friendly (miracle) and reopened the records office and the pharmacy to help me out (beyond miraculous). The cats stayed calm that entire time.
While I was there, the base commander announced a base-wide voluntary evacuation of all dependents that may expand to be mandatory in the next few days. Atsugi is becoming the hub of all supply and search and rescue operations for the relief effort. Chris left this morning to their new base of operations in the north. He’s been issued iodine pills and a radiation monitor.
Less than a week ago I came home to a warm house and a gorgeous basket of flowers topped with a “Welcome Home!” balloon. That cheerful arrangement is the first thing I saw when I got home after all of yesterday’s chaos, but now it made me feel sick to my stomach. Thailand was supposed to be the last time I left. Now Chris and I have no idea when we’ll see each other again. I’m trying not to think about that too much.
I honestly can’t believe it’s gotten to the point where nuclear experts so disagree with the information coming out of Japanese outlets that they’re willing to risk this type of slight. That’s the first thing I heard mentioned in the news coverage of it, too. Japanese media is making it sound like it’s completely under control and no big deal at all. More and more Japanese feel like the government isn’t telling them the whole truth. But for now, life in Japan is continuing pretty normally around my house in complete contrast to the closed schools and mass evacuation on base.
I am taking the first flight out, whichever that is. I’m in the first category of people to leave from base, but so far that’s been one delay after another. Even when it does leave, we’ll be dropped somewhere on the west coast to make our own further arrangements. If the flight hasn’t left by tonight, then I’m headed to the Tokyo airport first thing in the morning. At least that way I’ll get the cats all the way to Houston in the shortest amount of time without a lengthy, unforeseen layover who-knows-where. My brain is not working, but there’s stuff in my suitcase and the cats’ paperwork is ready to go. Now the only question is…when? (earthquake #3 while typing).
Newest Warlord in the Western Pacific
City of Angels
Work of Art
Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel
If you get stuck in LA, let me know and I'll come pick you up. You can stay here while you get a flight to Texas. Praying for you guys!
Hi, I've been a reader for maybe a year…we are in Yokosuka since July 2010. It is chaos here too, and personally I am undecided still what to do…stay or go? I just wanted to say thank you for your blog, I enjoy reading about all your travels esp. around Japan! I have loved being in Japan and am NOT ready to say goodbye to Japan. There is still so much I want to do and see here. God bless you and the precious bundle you are carrying.
I'm glad you were able to make the necessary preparations. I'll be praying for you especially today.
Praying for your safety, and Chris's!
Those are bureaucratic miracles! Wow!