February 20, 2006
Most of you know that for years, I've been talking about wanting to take a trip
to Japan. The first time I'd mentioned it on my website was back in 2002, and
I'd been considering it even before that. You would think it'd have happened by
now, but an opportunity had simply never presented itself.
Until now. That's right folks, I'm finally going to Japan! It's about
freaking time!
The trip isn't for a few months yet, however it is already booked, paid for, and
confirmed. In addition, my passport should be arriving soon. I will be leaving
on April 15th on a route that will take me from Atlanta to Houston to Tokyo, and
returning on the 25th back the way I came. My stay in Houston will be a little
over an hour, so I'll have some time to look around and prepare for the 13.5
hour flight to Tokyo. I'm still not sure how to manage that long on a plane.
Most people say to sleep, however the excitement of going to Japan plus the
excitement of my first international trip plus the fact that we're FLYING OVER
THE GODDAMN OCEAN probably means I won't sleep.
I'll be arriving in Tokyo in the early afternoon, and I'll be staying here. The rooms have
internet access, so you might catch me online once or twice while I'm there. I'm
planning on keeping a trip journal which will be integrated into the site
somehow, and I'll probably take enough pictures to dwarf the New York album since I'm taking
my camera, laptop, and every CF card I own.
(18:40)
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Comment #1 by segnbora
Wow! It sounds like it will be great fun.
(21-FEB-06 - 18:40 EST)
Comment #2 by Accipiter
At the very least it'll be an adventure. Not only is it my first international trip, I'm doing it solo.
It'll be interesting, that's for sure.
(01-MAR-06 - 20:00 EST)
Comment #3 by Missy (UNREGISTERED)
Holy shit, congratulations! My advice for international flights: just get really drunk. Wait, that's my advice for everything...
(01-MAR-06 - 22:23 EST)
Comment #4 by ches
Flights over the ocean are really boring. Unless you're interested in watching the ample movies in-flight, sleeping is the best option. You have a window seat, which should keep you occupied over land, but there's nothing but clouds to look at over the ocean.
As for your hour in Houston, don't dally. You should be able to check in in Atlanta and have your bags checked through to Tokyo. If not, you're in for some fun. They recommend check-in three hours ahead of an international flight. You'll have to clear immigration (which usually means a cursuroy glance at your passport as you check-in and again as you go through thhe gate) on the way to Tokyo, but on the way back you'll have to pass immigration and customs (which means collect your baggage in Houston), which can take a while. I've done it in as little time as 40 minutes and as much time as 2 hours. Of course, you'll no doubt have to change terminals too. Your travel agent should be familiar with the times it takes in Houston and should have booked your flights accordingly.
Have a great trip and if you don't already have a guide book, I recommend Lonely Planet.
Oh, and the best way to get rid of Jet-Lag is to stay awake til 7 or 8pm if you land in the morning and to try to sleep if you land in the evening. Sleeping on the plane might help with this problem.
(11-MAR-06 - 11:13 EST)
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