MISSION: TO PICK UP THE MATTRESSES

Keri- "Elvira can we pick up my new free hand me down mattresses from the base?"

me- "sure no problem."

So we embark on a mission to drive up to Kadena Air Force Base. I skip my Japenese class to embark on the adventure.

7pm- I take the expressway to pick up Keri. 200 yen later i honk my horn, mind you when i honk my horn dosn't stop honking until i push it again.

7:15pm Keri- "Elvira do you know where to find some rope?"

Me- "Ummm, No. No Home Depots around here. WAIT! LOOK"

7:18 I stop my car in a drak alley way, there is a construction site filled with poles tied with good looking rope. I grab my cutters from the glove compartment, I run trying to be sneaky, run over to where the rope is, start untying the knots while Keri is too busy laughing and taking pictures of me stealing the rope. Success, I free enough rope, and here we go again.

7:50 Arrive at Kadena A.F.B. Must show I.D. Passport and International D.L to enter with my car. PROBLEM, my passport is in Tokyo getting a visa for India. We beg the officer to let us in. Trying to explain we just want to pick up some old mattresses. Thank God Keri came to the rescue and she had all her documents.

Kadena is really big, big lanes, big apartments, big everything.

No wonder the Japense want their land back!

8:20 We try to put the mattresses on my Pajero Jeep.

Keri- "Elvira raise the mattresse higher! Pick your arms up!"

me- "I am picking up my arms, its as far as I go!" (stuggling keeping the mattesse in the air)

Finally, we put both up, tie the rope and head off.

8:40 Keri " Hey, lets go to the Bx and go shopping!"

me "sure"

8:41 I flip-a-bitch.

8:45 Lost inside trying to find the BX.

8:50 still lost

8:56 YIPPEEEEE!

9:00 Lady waiting at the door "Military IDs please."

We showed her out base pass, but she didnt let us in. We walked outside and came back in through the other side of the store. That didnt work, got rejected again. Walked outside again and asked a man to sign us in. Gladly, he did but we still couldnt buy anything since he had to buy the stuff for us. He wasn't too keen on that. We walk outside again. 3rd time, so we gave up. I try to turn on my car.

Me- "Oh SHIT! the car dosn't start"

(we only have 20 minutes before our pass expires)

I kick and shout at my engine. Nothing yet. I start to look up straight at the sky to see if maybe the high above can help. Nothing. Finally, a tall skinny man passes by. I asked him to help us. He did. From Puerto Rico, mid 40's, just married and has been here for 10 years. He helps with the car. He offers to sign us in. He waits for us to do our shopping.

I felt we were on some game shopping show. Keri and I have about 15 minutes b4 the store closses. I grab a car, run through the isles and throw things in. Blankets, slimfast, pretzeles, iron, vacuum, cookies, diet pepsi, sheets, pumkin seeds, hmmmm, what else? Sounds about it. 200 bucks later, we walked out. Nikko gave me his number to go out to see his salsa band.

10 pm Jam out of the base.

We arrive at Kerries aparto. Finally. BUT my car dosnt start again. a few kicks and I was on my way home.

11pm arrive home. I put on my new flannel sheets on my bed,A cozy night ahead.

8:20 am. My car dosn't start .....again. Late for school. ......

The bodyshop came to pick up my car and now I am stuck driving a tiny K-car.

Oh Well.