Still here....

We're still here and still fine, awaiting our departure information. When we got the word, given in a briefing from the base commander over the radio which the entire base had been directed to listen to by their squadrons, I was sitting in the base terminal parking lot, bags packed, documents in order. I had missed the boat on getting to the commissary in time (got there only after a few hundred people had crammed in, in the dark, grabbing for the last can of green beans), and missed getting to the gas station in time (I didn't go at first 'cause I had "enough" and then there were 3-4 hour waits for rationed gas), and I was not going to miss the boat on catching the plane! Turns out the plane wasn't there -- and it still isn't. The "voluntary departure" the Dept. of Defense/State Dept. has authorized will take place over the next days and even weeks. From what I understand, our travels home might even take that long! (hopefully not weeks). We've been told to expect long lines and waits and layovers of maybe days, and to bring pillows, blankets, toiletries and "high energy foods" for each person traveling, for FIVE DAYS. I hope we're not sleeping on floors eating Power Bars and beef jerky for five days, but it gets us home and me medical care, we can do it. And I just can't stop thinking about the Japanese right now, with how much they've lost and how much their suffering. It's really quite cold now (in the 20s again tonight) and there are so many people living outside or in flimsy shelters. And then there's those still waiting help. We went to base tonight for provisions and pizza and saw groups of the rescue workers as they were coming off their shifts. The base is hosting several teams of search-and-rescuers, and they all just looked so exhausted and worn. There was a team from Paris even. The base has launch its own full-scale relief efforts consisting of helping to dig out/clean up our own fishing port and much of our neighboring town of Hachinohe which suffered far more damage. We're sending out a bus load of volunteers and equipment every day now and the pictures I've seen (probably visible now on the various Misawa facebook pages) almost make me want to stay and help. If I weren't so sick again and in the middle of a med-evac I would be tempted. But I have a feeling the work will still be here when I get back, so maybe we can spend our last year trying to help the Japanese in any way we can.

So I spent the day finalizing the 10 pounds of paperwork I need for this "non-evacuation departure" and re-packing, and am now just awaiting the word. We filed requests with our squadron contact and since I'm a med-evac case, it looks like I'll go out with the first travel group. Which unfortunately is the "women with lots of screaming babies" group which should be REALLY fun when we're sleeping on the terminal floor in Korea for a few days, but that's OK!!! I'm grateful to be going - any way we get there. I'm not nervous for us here in Misawa regarding the nuclear situation, so I'm fine now just to sit and wait for the word. Everyone (here at least) keeps saying we're too far north (230 miles) and "too upwind" basically to really be effected by any fallout. As a matter of fact, many of the women in our squadron (even those with small childres) have chosen to stay -- I think they've (wisely?!?!) chosen to risk nuclear fallout rather than to face a long plane ride with dozens of screaming babies!

My plan -- and I have NO idea if the military will actually be able to follow through with this (I don't even think those in charge now even know) -- is to make my way to Hill Air Force base in Utah. If I'm on/near a base I can be treated for the lung infection, and I get the added bonus of getting in/out easier. My records are visible from there and Rick's got a call into the their clinic to get me to the right doctor. The big benefit here too is that Rick's parents are right by Hill, and can help with childcare while I sleep for 30 or so days and try to heal. Yay!!! Then when I get the "all clear" signal to return, it shouldn't be a problem making my way back -- I can return on a military "hop" or by commercial airline at nearby Salt Lake airport.

Right now it's been (wildly guessed) that we'll be gone about 30 days. I'm sure that number just came out of the air but who knows. Anyway, that's all we know, and now that's all you know. Will let you know, when I know more....you know?

Ugh, I'm so tired I'm getting punchy...time for bed. Gotta get up at the crack of dawn for 'Saturday school" (nothing stops the Japanese!) and for the first "Town Meeting" about all this. Hope there will be some answers ...will keep you posted! (or maybe next, you'll be hearing from Rick!)

Take care, and thanks for tuning in!
Mary