| Preparing for the trip I will admit, I really didnt do much - a few e-mails to Keith to get some basic questions answered and directions to his place from the Osaka Int'l (KIX) airport from the subway line. I had a few brochures I had picked up at a Japanese festival here in Florida and I bought a dictionary, a CD, and a phrase book. Used those for about two weeks before and brought the phrasebook which later proved priceless. So yes, I kinda winged this major adventure and played it by ear. I know some of you would have had a agenda of everything planned out but I had nothing planned except I wanted to take a brief visit to Tokyo as well as Kyoto. I didnt even know what day but I did have a rail (JTB pass) pass that at least would get me to Tokyo on the famous Shinkansen bullet trains. Since I was staying with my fraternity brother Keith and his girlfriend Jenn, I figured they could help shape the trip with suggestions, etc. Since Sturtsman was meeting us there, I'd see what he wanted to do as well though I knew he'd be happy just checking out the red-light districts and talking to school girls in plaid skirts and knee highs. Did you know they go to Saturday school there? Anyways, I digress. I only packed for 5 days since I could do laundry over in Osaka which was a good move. Little did I know that my luggage wasnt arriving anytime soon - but hey, I didnt think I was going to end up in Tokyo nor the Osaka DOMESTIC airport either but I had taken with me clothes for a day on my carry-on. Smart move. |