An American In Asia - and Maroon 5 - 'Live!' March 2008

March 10 and March 11th, 2008

I wish I had been brave enough to tell my boss that I needed Sunday off to pack...but with already extending my one week vacation to almost three weeks...I went to work. I had been logging so many hours to meet all of my March deadines to make sure my adventure abroad was stress and guilt free.

This is where I wish I could tell you how prepared I was and how easy it is to book all of your travel plans as a solo traveler for the first time to the other side of the planet...hop on a plane without  care and  voila! World traveler extroidiare... but that would be a lie. HA!

I spent hours researching, planning, and plotting my every move to make this the best trip ever! And then I got home from work today and the thought occured that I wasn't ready. I had wanted to do this as a carry-on luggage only event. My Aunt Jeanette (Cecilia) threw down the gauntlet and I was ready to take the challenge...until I got home today. I opened my closet door and dragged out the trusty blue luggage dad had bought me as a gift for my first trip abroad ...and to the horror of my two kitties ... started to fill it.

I decided I wanted to make sure I had everything...this trip was going to cost me a small fortune...and I didn't want to end up having to buy a bunch of stuff I had back home in my apartment while away on this trip. Yes, I thought ... a second piece of luggage was now justified. And with that logic...I started to sort out what would go into each bag. It was like packing for two different vacations! I was doubling alot of things between the two pieces in case one of them was lost or stolen. By the time I almost threw in the towel and decided to just go with the carryon...I noticed the time...it was 5:30 am!!! Between making sure my kitties were prepared for my time away...double checking my itinerary, leaving away notices on my email, voicemail etc. the time had gotten away. I started second guessing myself and threw myself into mild panic. I started my mantra...everything is going to be ok...

OMG! I am going to Japan and China by myself. What was I thinking?! I don't know if I ever have gotten so nervous. It was like a terrible case of stage fright...the kind where the entire cast is terrified you won't go on....But you do. And I tried to calm myself down. I needed sleep. I decided to go to sleep for an hour and a half.

The buzzer rang...

And I started to lament the fact that I had slept. I still had so much to do! At this point one of my kitties was already giving me the cold shoulder...and the other one was getting that puffy...(I am upset that you are leaving) stature. I had to pick up my dry cleaning...or it would be left for over 30 days and they could tell me they donated it. I had to go pick up cash... I was starting to wish I hadn't been such a resposible employee meeting deadlines...and had gotten more of my travel prep out of the way! I got the drycleaning...said a last goodbye to the kitties as I jumped into my car and started speeding off to the Van Nuys Fly-A-Way to LAX.

Then the same thing happened that happened when I went to the Fly Away on my Jamaica, Cozumel, and Grand Caymen trip...I couldn't find it. Trust me...it is very easy to access. I chalk this up to nerves. I had to stop and look at my map. I laughed when I saw that I was only a block away. :) I pulled into the extended stay parking structure and pulled out my baggage...and I was still so nervous I was visibly shaking. Oh Mary...stop! I took a deep breath and it didn't work.

The sky cap (yes, they have one there...smiled and put my luggage on his cart. I paid my four dollars and before I knew it...was on the way to the airport. I tried the relaxation techniques...but nothing was helping. Why did this happen today? Then it hit me. Lack of preparation. Drat. This morning and shall I say last night...all through the night was nothing but tying up all of the loose ends that I simply had not had the time to do.

I got to the airport and was dropped at the Tom Bradey terminal. Nothing can prepare you for what is inside. Organized chaos. I am happy to say that my being a manager full time had prepared me for the chaos. I first had to locate my airline, ANA. When I did locate it I was assisted by a very kind attendant who assured me my flight would be a safe one. I wasn't worried about the flight...I was worried that my lack of the language would do me in. I was still shaking...I was telling myself to calm down. It still wasn't helping.

I was then told to lock my luggage. The price of locking your luggage is that you are then sent to another line to wait in until it is checked. The trouble is finding that line in this terminal. I did find it and was told to wait. I waited and saw my luggage pass. I waited and waited until finally one of the inspectors asked my if I had seen my luggage. I said yes, he smiled and said I could go check in now.

I didn't know where I was going. All of the kind instruction I was given had flown out the window in my stress. Another kind attendant pointed me in the right direction. There were two massive lines. I was put in the one on the left. I then went through the standard security check.

TIP:Packing for this is a simple science...and when done well you can get through very quickly. I put everything in separate ziplocks. Everything! I learned this a long time ago and it is quite helpful for many reasons. The first one  being that if they see something they want to examine closer...the bags make it easier to manuever to the object. It also keeps their germ filled hands off of the actual garments in the baggage. It also keeps liquids from damaging everything if it explodes under pressure during flight.
 
TIP: Also, you want to pack all of your electronic devices (organizer, mp3player, cell phone and all adapters, chargers etc. into the carry-on bag. That way your checked luggage goes through quickly and if the x-ray tech has questions...each item is clearly identified with a black markie on each ziplock.

TIP:  Oh, and don't forget to pull off your watch, and metal hairclip before going through security!

My expertise in this area was starting to calm me a bit as approving security personnel scrutinized each item. Because of this...they all thought I was a business traveler. Um hum...in my tennis shoes, jeans and long sleeve tshirt. OK...why not?

Finally...I was released to get to my Gate. I was a pro manuvering my little bag...this is where I should tell you what it looks like...it is pink floral. Easy to spot on a conveyer belt! By this time I was starting to dehydrate. I drink a ton of water...and time had flown by. You really do have to get to the airport early...but first stop...the ladies room. Ha! I then stepped into the convenience store and bought 2 bottes of water and some lip balm. Then I got to the gate and sat next to the nicest woman from Torrance who was on her way to visit family. She didn't speak perfect English...which made it perfect practice for my trip.

They started calling us in the order of price tickets....lol...First class, Business class, and Economy. I was booked in an economy seat and wasn['t looking forward to it. The interesting thing about this calling order is that they have the Economy class pass  all of the other classes...to see what we were missing I guess...ha! I got to my seat and was in a window. I always request an aisle because of my massive water consumption. Lucky for me...the middle seat was empty for this non-stop flight. Oh,, and did I mention I joined the mileage club for ANA?

TIP: Join all of the clubs (Hotel, airlines, car rental etc)...better service and prices for the price of giving them your name and email).

I really enjoyed the flight. My aisle mate only spoke Japanese...so no conversation...and just relaxation. I ended up snoozing, watching three great movies, and eating. Oh, and after the first meal I was completely de-stressed. Relaxed...comfortable...thanks to the travel pillow I bought.

TIP: Buy a pillow for the flight...especiallly long ones. I suggest one that inflates like a balloon. It packs flat and makes it easy to put into your bag. It is great...only 2 puffs of air to fill and it deflates even quicker. I got some serious looks of pillow envy! For an extended flight...invest in a good pillow.

We landed after 2 great meals. I mention this because they were really good! No starvation here. Kudos to the meal planner of this airline. I am impressed! Next we were given debarkation paperwork to get us through the process quicker. We were all put in two separate lines. I was put in a longer one. Drat. There was a fellow from England behind me. We waited and waited  and then we, along with everyone behind us were told to go back to the other line. We did...and then I took over...they didn't have to ask me any questions...I gave them without prompting ...tourist...temporary visitor...US Citizen. I was greeted with smiles as they checked everything in my passport. I was through!

And now I was officially in Japan! Well, the airport at least. Suddenlly all I could see and hear was a language I did not know. Thank goodness I had done my homework and knew what to expect and what to do. First I had to get my luggage. Got it. Easy. Then I had to exchange my JR exchange order for the actual pass. Oh, and  worth mention are the crazy luggage carts that lock and go up and down the escalators! Sorta like the Target ones back home...but they are on the escalator with you...not in their own aisle! They say use at your own risk...I am standing behind it...the person at risk is in front of you...and if the lock gives...the cart and your luggage will knock them down surely!

Next I asked for the location of the JR office...but nobody spoke Engish...yikes I thought...no longer stressed out...here my journey begins! I found someone who pointed me down the escallators to the JR office.

TIP: If you plan to use the bullet train (f you go to Kyoto...which is a must if you enter Japan...you will)  and plan on staying 7-14 days...the one trip to Kyoto will pay for the entire weeks pass. Check out the link in my itinerary.

I was greeted and told to sit down in the JR office by an elderly gentleman. He started filling out my pass and murmered how I looked so much older than my passport. What? Oh,, he said...you could hear me?... and chuckled. I felt stunned. I took that picture last year.  What a terrible thing to hear after I had just gotten over being terribly ill for two weeks and on top of that just got off a very, very, very long flight. Where were the manners of this nationality that I had heard so much about? This guy was rude! He chuckled it off and the young women  who worked besides him were shamed. Was it my blonde hair that compelled him to degrade me? I tried to let it go and tried to get the information I needed to continue my trip...but I must admit...I harassed him by repeating loudly what he had said to me earlier...chuckling as he did. He got the point and became professional. He booked my first bullet train ride for the morning at 8:15.am. I insisted it wasn't early enough to get to my walking tour. He insisted it was. He also had me going out of the Shimbawa station instead of the Tokyo station...this flabbergasted the concierge at the New Otani Tokyo later that evening...(my thought on this is that he is instructed to book a reservation so he can stamp your pass...if it isn't   stamped you can get your money back. I think he wanted me leaving from the other station just to make my life miserable the next day...I did my research...lesson learned for the remainder of my trip...I should have insisted on The Tokyo Station...

Next up...the Limosine Bus to the Hotel. I had my JR pass, but it was good for only 7 days...and I am here for 8.  After the long flight I figured the easy ride to the hotel the first day would be best (instead of the airport on the last day). By my last day in  Tokyo, I will have figured out the transportation and can take the Narita express.) The Limo bus was great...not like a limo but like a tour bus. It was quiet but warm...I forgot to tell you...so was the airport. The Japanese like a warm room because they pump up the heat! Yikes! And when you are nervous and pushing luggage...this is NOT a good combination...

I didn't see too much of the city because it was already getting dark...but what I did see was looking alot like my home in Los Angeles. OK..so I saw freeways and traffic jams..HA! I finally got to the Hotel New Otani (It took 30 mins longer than they said because of the traffic)...and when I got off the bus I was greeted by a bell boy who grabbed my luggage and whisked me inside. We entered the main building...but I was staying in the tower. Still nice...but cheaper. +wink (I got a free night for staying in the Tower with my membership with the hotel.

I asked for a 4:30am wakeup call....the hotel employee was in disbelief. I got into the room...took a video of it for You.Tube.....and then started searching for a convenience store.

TIP: Never eat in the hotel if they do not have reasonable prices. The food is rarely worth the high price...look for a supermarket or a convenience store. Save your money to buy extras for yourself!

I was told a convenience store was in the hotel. Who wants to pay double the price for something a short walking distance away? I  bought 2 large bottles of water. Back to the room. I tried out my new Asus eee PC mini notebook...to email home. It was a breeze! (I am blogging from it now)...and so happy I got it the day before I departed so I can write this and keep in contact with family.

What a day...it is time to get some sleep....

xoxo, Mary