Final countdown

Our flight leaves in less than 14 hours. And, I need to get some sleep. So, it's time to really start packing. I've got a good list, and, of course, I packed all my gadgets first. We're ready and excited. No last minute snags (so far!).

I'm trusting Google that this says 3, 2, 1 blast off!

三、二、一、爆発を

Packing

Right now, I am in the early stages for travel. School ends on Friday, the day we leave and teachers think it's fun to have a project and quiz due on Tuesday. And of course it wouldn't be French class without homework due on the...very...last...class. *SHUDDER* So right now it's just planning, packing, and excitement for me!

Trip Map

It's tough to find a map of Tokyo with enough English on it to be useful to someone who doesn't read Japanese (like me!). Google Maps is pretty good online, but I wish there was something with all English place names. Luckily, you can search for things with Google Maps, and that works pretty well. I am sure we'll get lost many times...

I created a map with some of the sights we'll see for our trip. Check it out. Good luck keeping up with us! Here's a static image from the map to give you a taste.

One nice thing about customizing Google Maps is that we can take advantage of maps that others have made. Here's a good one with places to go in Harajuku.

Testing a post via text message

If sms works from my phone in Japan, we can post that way, too (assuming this text works)

Posting on the train

With all of our train rides getting around Tokyo, posting via email will be very handy. Looks like it works pretty well. We can add photos and links later.

Packing and planning

Some people are obsessive packers. Others don't plan at all. I'm somewhere in between. I've done some research on our trip, including figuring out some of the major things we plan to see.

And, I've definitely thought through exactly how to get from the airport to the hotel once we get to Tokyo. We'll be tired. We won't want to risk getting lost (although we still might!). However, after that, we just have a vague idea of what we'll do when. We're going to a baseball game, and plan to climb Mt. Fuji on our last full day there. I like to wake up in the morning and then deciding.

My wife really wants my daughter to start packing today, five days before we go. Why? We have a good packing list, but we're mostly bringing clothes. I do believe in making a list, but I don't see the point of setting things aside so far in advance of putting them in the suitcase. We do have a few things to buy, which we'll do this week. But, nothing will go into my suitcase until the night before we depart. I'd rather do it all at once.

Luckily, there is good Internet access at our hotel, so we can do lots of activity planning when we get there. And, with some luck, my PDA will work there (AT&T says it will, we'll see). I'll even be able to post to the blog via email. Look for a test in a minute!

With school ending and the trip coming up, we're really excited!

Giants Pride!

Our preparations for the trip continue. We aren't planning the trip to tightly, but one thing we have set up in advance is a Japanese baseball game. We were able to purchase and print the tickets over the Internet, which solves some logistical problems. We're seeing the Yomiyuri Giants, the Japanese version of the Yankees. They don't play games every day, and there are only a few home games in Tokyo during our stay. So, Saturday the 27th was our best chance. It's interesting that the Giants promote the team with the image of their manager, #88. And, they have a first-place team, so they must have some good players.

I don't follow the team at all, but I've been to a game in Japan before. It's a different experience, with organized cheering for each team. It's also a great chance to do a lot of people watching. At least the rules are pretty much the same.

Look for some ballpark pictures after our game, including some updates on the ballpark food.