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Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men~It turns out that I won't be in Japan for an extra 2 weeks. My cousins will be flying in soon after I get settled and will be spending a week in Tokyo. From April 18th to the 26th, I will be running a tour of Tokyo. ^^
This will all happen between classes and family responsibilities. YAY! I just hope I don't fail them and they leave Japan thinking, "My goodness, that was the worst vacation ever!"
I will be picking up my visa tomorrow from the Embassy. Pick-ups are scheduled from 1:30 to 6:30 pm. Weird. It's quite a walk from the Dupont Circle Metro to the Embassy, but I just tack it under the umbrella of "Teresa really needs to work it out."
Hmm... I've got my tickets, my visa, my luggage, and clothes. Now that we are extremely close to take-off, what is everybody going to pack?
I don't know whether I want to take 2 large suitcases or 1 large suitcase + 1 large duffel bag. Which option do you think is better?
Also, my temp list of things to bring:
Clothes, textbooks, dictionaries, laptop compie, pictures of family, camera + charger, phone + charger, shoes (don't know how many pairs to pack yet), limited toiletries (i'm going to buy most of my soap and crap when i'm there to save myself some heft), 1 or 2 plushies to keep me company, mini pillow that i needs, and loooooooooove~
What else is there to bring?
Oh yes! Don't forget to get money via traveler's cheques! Keep it safe. Uhmm... the school recommends a grand for the first month you're there prior to getting all your bank stuff set up. I'm going to get a grand and a half for some safety padding.
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~
I nervous. *trembles*
- T
------ UPDATE 3.11.08 ----------
I didn't want to push off Natalie's posts, so here I am, adding a lil more to this last post of mine. Remember my earlier post about presents? Well, I've bought some but I don't know if it's enough. Drop me a line and tell me opinions!!!
Obviously, the left pile is for padre, middle = madre, and right = daughter. I'm most worried about the daughter. Is it okay?
8 comments:
Ooo... a non-suitcase, duffel bag type piece of luggage sounds smart... It'd be easier to carry an over-the-shoulder bag and a pull-along suitcase than two suitcases! And then, if you needed to pack for traveling around Japan or whatnot, you could take the bag instead of the suitcase.. Hmmmmmm...
Your to-pack list looks good! I'm going to add.. numerous good copies of passport, power converter (does anyone know which type we need? maybe that's an airport purchase...), maybe like.. simple medicines that it might be hard/scary to get in a foreign country like cold and flu stuff or anything you think you might need really.. that's all I can think of for now..
There's so many shoes I want to pack, haha... my aunt jokingly offered to pay to ship all my cute shoes to Japan, and I'm thinking of taking her up on that offer... I love shoes.
Bleeh.. I gotta figure out how to arrange the monies and all that, traveler's cheques... I'm suddenly thankful that DK House wanted advance payment so I won't have to worry about that when I get there.
Still waitin' on that COE, but I'll talk more about that ridiculousness later..
Ooo ooo, don't forget your saxophones...!
good post teresa! you covered a lot of the things that i'm beginning to worry about.
shoes are a problem. i'm definitely not taking any boots even though it'll be the rainy season; i figure we can get some really cute ones in tokyo. but i think i am going to wear my heels on the plane that way i have more room for my flats (either one or two pair) and my chucks. any other shoes i think i'll just buy in japan.
I think i'm also going to take my flute, just in case. it would be weird to be without it.
btw, has anyone seen the dollar to yen ratio lately? it is uber depressing. just think this past summer it was at 1 USD to 118 Yen. Now it's almost 1 to 1. eek. recession.
OMG YES. I totally looked up the exchange rate the other day and I was SO sad. Igh.
Anyway, I agree with Natalie. One suitcase and one non-suitcase type. This winter I ridiculously had one large suitcase and one small one and to roll both of those around places was QUITE the hassle. At least with the non-suitcase, you can prop it up on your big rolly suitcase and roll it around. And anyway, best to try and travel as light as you can. Plus, if you really need extra packing space coming home, you can buy a suitcase there! I feel you might be tempted to fill up two big suitcases right at the start.
Oh man, you'll get to be a tour guide! How fun! At least you'll have plenty of people to introduce them to!
I also wish I had gotten online yesterday, because I went to the Embassy to pick up my visa today too!! Why do I keep missing people at the embassy?!
Good list. That covers the basics, because things you forget, I'm sure you can easily pick up anything you forget in Japan. How many dictionaries are you planning to bring?!?! I'd recommend bringing the IJ book if you hadn't planned to. Yeah, hey Gregory and Natalie, I may ask you guys to carry a copy of my passport if that's cool haha.
Oh geez, should I pack my piano...??
to jen...
PIANO?!
silly lady. don't be packing no major instruments. greg will be our resident muse. just go to him when you need some music to defrazzle your life.
natalie
the whole thing with power adapters is this, most of your major appliances like computers and whatnot will convert the power for you. all you need is a travel adapter because japan uses the two even-sized prongs. if you will be bringing a lappie top, your computer's power cord will take care of the conversion, you just need to make sure it can pluggy on in. oooh, and my poppa said it's just more convienent to pack some american cash to exchange. no need to run to the bank and convert unless you'll be holding on to those greens for a long while, then changing it to traveler's cheques to prevent stealage is a most important thing.
gregoooooo
oooh! did you figure out how to take your sax on the airplane? i recommend dragging it along and then getting it checked in when you arrive in the airplane and the attendants go, "uhm, sir? we've have to check your majorly amazing instrument in for you." that way, you can be sure that you'll be able to overlook its care throughout the journey over.
jeannette <--- I REMEMBER HOW TO SPELL!!! YAY~
hehe. you and greg soooo totally do nagashi (learned it from the NANA manga) you wander around and play your instruments. i will totally be dropping some 100 yen coinage if you guys do decide to do it. and shoes. shoes are a major problemo. i don't really recommend heels on the airplane tho. it's a long flight and unless your shoes are really comfy, it'll hurt. oooh, unless you pack a pair of like Old Navy sandals with you to wander around the airplane with. my mom did the grossest thing and when to the bathroom in her socks... *shudders* me no recommend
geez, blueberry coffee makes me happpppppppppy
*bounce bounce bounce*
- T
Hahaha Teresa, you're hilarious.
Don't forget cameras and cords that sort of thing. Definitely want to be documenting everything!
Your prezzies look beautiful Teresa! I think they'll love them!! And you totally reminded me to uh...shop now. Time is a-tickin!
o my.. why do you have so much stuff for them?? Do I need to bring that much too???
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