going post-al

I'm a bit post happy right now. I doubt the posts will be as frequent in the future. It's probably a combination of first starting the blog and being awake at 5:30am Tokyo time.

It's strange, being back, it doesn't feel that unusual being here, it feels pretty natural. I remember the first time I left Tokyo I was really sad. I thought I'd never come back again, but now 2 trips later, I don't feel the same way. It is different though. Being here for only a few days, not having my own place to unload myself, it's a completely different experience, almost like it's a different place. A bit reminescent of when I went back to New York for a visit after being gone for a couple years, everything feels a bit different. At the time I attributed that to the city changing but I'm starting to think it's because it wasn't home anymore, there wasn't even a place for me there.

But I'm here now. Might as well enjoy it!

Up up and away

So I'm on my way. I'm on the plane using the Korean Air wireless. The stewardess doesn't want me to plug in my dell for fear of my battery setting fire to the plane. It really just hit me that I won't be back home for 3.5 months and a billion miles. Should be fun.

One more day

One more day before I start my trip. How long does it have to be before a trip becomes a journey? I'm pretty sure this will qualify. Do you have to learn something for it to be a journey or is the prerequisite time?

I still have a bunch of stuff to do, get a JR railpass, europass, finish packing, a few reservations, pick up a headset, take care of my cell phone, and a few other odds and ends. That all needs to get done in a few hours.

I'm taking a Gregory Shasta backpack, 5500 cubic inches, and a Northface day pack, (700 cubic inches?) It's going to be interesting trying to find places to wash our clothes since most of our planned stops are going to be for a day. I'd take some pictures but I'm not packed yet. Maybe later.

My brother is going to Hawaii tommorow. He'll come back to LA and have his 21st B-day and then meet me in Shanghai. Japan and China will be me and Alan. It's going to be great to go back to Tokyo and hang out with a couple of the '05 Temple crew again.

To be honest, I'm a bit nervous. If I was going by myself which was the original plan, I wouldn't have to look out for anyone, if I messed up something or had to deal with problems or rough travel, I know I could deal with it, but with my little brother around it's not going to be just me. We'll see how it works out.