Norfolk, 1st Post

Sorry this report is late in coming, lots has happened since we left the UK on Thursday (hard to believe it has only been three days!)... Last night we were able to sleep through the night which was a nice treat! Seems the jet-lag isn't as bad coming this way as it is going over to Europe.

We arrived here in good order and got to our room in the Navy Officer's Quarters on the base Thursday night. We were able to get some sleep and on Friday morning I checked into the Transit Unit (or TPU). I had to get another shot from the medical clinic since it wasn't written down in my records and will need to attend another session of the training required of separating military (it mysteriously disappeared from my records too). Otherwise, it looks like we'll be done out-processing by Thursday at the latest this coming week.

While checking out, I ran into a buddy from chaplain's school and Belinda and I met him for lunch and got caught up. Jeff is a Southern Baptist and a terrific guy. After some laughs and a tour of the chapel, Belinda and I did a whirl of the massive exchange, food court, and comissary and then treated ourselves to a dinner at the on-base Applebees! Don't laugh, when you've gone without free refills on ice tea for several years the little things matter!!!

On Saturday, we slept in and were headed out to Williamsburg when as we were leaving the BOQ the desk clerk asked us if we could help a stranded officer from Jordan. Turns out there was a mix-up in his travel arrangements and he had no idea of where he was supposed to be and hadn't eaten in a long time. Belinda and I took him under our wings and after getting him to the right building took him to his first American meal at the Golden Corral (not the Ritz, but this is Norfolk!). Eventually he got to the right people and hopefully will have a great experience.

We spent the rest of the day at Williamsburg, taking in some of our favorite scenes and savoring walking the streets of this wonderful town. Belinda's favorite experience was eating the the Seasons restaraunt where she got some of their famous chicken salad. Then we went back to the Exchange on base, picked up a few items and crawled back into bed.

This morning (Sunday), we got an early breakfast at the Golden Corral (maybe we'll find something else eventually) and then went to chapel on base. After that, it was back to the room for Belinda to take a break and watch her favorite show, MONK while Charles went to the local zoo. Tonight we'll make an effort at watching the Super Bowl though after the commercials and the first half we may end up playing Scrabble. Since Charles is more of a real football fan (Go Wigan!), this Amercian sports spectacle may not be as special :)

The check in continues tomorrow, stay tuned!