March 19th, 2008
There’s my spending money for the first couple months! I got the call earlier today from the bank that my yen had come in. It was convenient, also, that my brother Will called up about getting picked up at school at the same time. Two birds, one stone! That is 91,000円 even, worth $1000. It’s the amount that Hirosaki recommended for students when first arriving in country. My first expenses upon arriving in Japan will be taking the subways around in Tokyo to catch my flight up to Aomori and then staying in a hotel the night I arrive. Hopefully I can get by with the money I’ve saved for the trip, and maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll get some donations from my parents, too. :P
March 17th, 2008
Well, if by everywhere you mean Japan. Yes, I just got my Japanese visa in the mail from UPS. They put a big ol’ sticker in my passport that takes up an entire page. It’s pretty similar to the layout of the United States passport page that has your photo and information - except on this one it has a super grainy rendition of the photo I submitted on my visa application. I suppose that’s for the custom’s guy to hold out at arm’s length next to your face while inspecting you for entry. Wow, thinking about it like that makes me feel like cattle to be herded through a fence. But what I’ve read and heard from people about entering Japan it doesn’t seem like it will be too much of a hassle (well, as far as customs go).
Today I also went out and bought yen for my intial trip over. Hirosaki recommended having about $1000 worth of yen on hand, so that’s what I got. I won’t actually have the money until Wednesday, but you can be sure I will let you know what 91,000円 looks like. I’m also going to be seeing about getting power of attorney for my parents, which will come in quite handy I imagine since tax season is upon us and my taxes won’t be done before I leave.
