*sighs*

[rkold]

First a very very happy Belated Birthday to yanchamonkey even if you only rarely check LJ. I have stuff to send you, I just am slow and behind. ;;_;; And also one to ironfish246 not that you check LJ often either. >>;

I'm depressed, just like the US economy and our currency, in fact it's over the latter 2 that I am feeling down. Gone are the days where a US dollar was worth approximate 100 yen. It makes my upcoming trip at the end of April a lot more of a challenge since everything from food to hotels to my FCS is going to cost more and it is vaguely upsetting. I think the most upsetting aspect is if I'd known the dollar was going to free fall like this I would have exchanged more money when I was in Japan last trip and I would have made sure to bring home a lot more cash with me. ~.~ Instead I spent my last bills on a cab to Wakayama eki.

For hotels, I've found booking in dollars might actually save me money in the long term. I've booked the majority of my nights, I am just going to get hit hard on my rail pass now. I need to book 4 more nights in Tokyo in groups of 2. I'm still trying to figure out where I want to stay.

I'm trying a new hotel in Kyoto which will hopefully go well. I realized if I'm going to be going up to Kyoto nearly every day it makes more sense to stay there. The hotel supposedly has a bath on the top floor which is very happy indeed and will hopefully prevent me from ending up with bleeding toes again.

On the good news side, my aching teeth seem to have just been... sensitive teeth and not an actual cavity. I'm trying to get back into going to the gym and back into doing weights. I much prefer the cardio, but the weights seem to actually help me physically more. I also need to fill out the paperwork for my passport. Maybe I will bring it all in on Thursday when I go the County since I think at this rate I am stuck doing the express service no matter what since I need it in 4 1/2 weeks. Since it's a renewal I would think it's not so hard if I pay for the express.

I also so need to order seeds so I can get some seedlings going. I have high hopes that if I plant my tomatoes in April this year I might actually get some to eat rather than planting them in July >>; At least I know peas grow super well! *_*

Comments

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I forgot, when are you going to Japan, is it when I am there? For how long? I think my mind is going as I get older.

The airport in Japan, yes, never change money here in the US the rate is always much lower. But yes the rate in the airport is ood and it gets everything taken care of.

I am thinking of staying at a tiny hotel I found near Tokyo station and then still debating the other 2 nights. Part of it is, I know how tiny Japanese hotel rooms can be. >>;

I forgot are you ordering FCS and how long are you staying in Kansai?

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Ohhhhh I'm so jealous, I've only had an actual translator with me at Sato once. Nearly every other time it's just been me on my own lol Are you meeting any of the DoA people in Kansai? I know quite a few of them. I'm doing FCS, I want a F-35 and sumeragiskank wants a F-38.

I'm staying near Kyoto eki. It's less scenic but it is convenient and the hotel is not that expensive. >>;


In Kyoto I would recommend the following tourist sights:
Kiyomizudera, Sanjusangendo, Fushimi Inari, The Philosopher's Walk from Ginkaku-ji towards Nanzen-ji, and Eikan-do. I would personally skip Kinkaku-ji. It's not that interesting and if you have limited time the other places above are better.

Since you have a pass, if you want to go outside Kyoto: Himeji! (It might be easier to go to Shin-Osaka and transfer there for a Hikari, they have a ton that start there) The Castle there is amazing and if you're lucky you'll get the start of hanami/sakura! <3 I have some gorgeous pictures from last year there. Keroku-en Garden in Okayama (the castle is pretty too!) and if you want a really long trip, go to Miyajima near Hiroshima. So pretty!!! All of these places you can get very close to or to via rail pass.

I was just in Japan for 10 days. It's nice <3 Next trip is nearly 2 weeks though.

With the rate changing maybe he didn't get taken to the cleaners so badly but generally yes, the rate is always better in Japan and you get a better rate on US Traveler's Checks than US cash. (It you're a AAA member you can get US traveler's checks for free.) There are ATMs in Japan but they can have wonky hours and don't like some cards. Make sur you call your credit cards to let them know you're going to be in Japan. Some places will take those too, some don't it varies.

I hope you have so much fun, are you flying economy?

Waiii I know you will love your trip!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

How did you manage to get a translator at Sato? Did you just email Volks or something else? If you an try to find out what the LEs are going to be for Tokyo on the 27th XD;;;

There is a lot to see and do in Japan, just remember that train travel does take time and some of the lines there are not that many trains on. (Like I think there are 2 an hour between Kyoto and Tokyo station that are free on a rail pass) Making seat reservations is easy, and always do so if you can, it's free with a pass.

I just get traveler's checks and then exchange them as soon as I get to Japan. I'm not sure why but you do get a better rate and there is always next time XD; I've not been to the Middle East ever.

United's coach isn't so bad. Supposedly, 59G and J or 59B+C are better seats than most if you're flying a 747.

I so hope you get the start of sakura, please let me know if you do!

And I know about the lack of vacation issues, my husband gets very little and before that he was a consultant and so didn't get any. ;;_;;

[cc-lemon.livejournal.com]

Yay on your teeth! Much better than hours spent in a dentist chair being drilled upon.

And SQUEE! Got your package today! My girls FINALLY have panties! Thank you so much!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad it made it safely! It's just a small gift, but I knew it was something you wanted. :D

I will try to get you a charm or two the next trip.

Enjoy!

[cc-lemon.livejournal.com]

So badly! The girls had been borrowing Hadriel's Y-fronts when they wore dresses! Now they have their own!

You're the best!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Awww *hugs* I remembered you said you really wanted some and I wanted to be able to bring something back for you. I was so glad when I saw the dealer at the event. BTW do you need any more or in other sizes or does this set you?

[triplepunch.livejournal.com]

How about you stay at Hotel Sue-chan and I will feed you banana bread (made by moi!) and we can play dollies all night! Okay, not all night but at least until 10 pm. XD

Hopefully the exchange rate doesn't hit you too hard.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm already excited about staying in the Hotel Sue-chan and I shall bring you lots of Reese's <3 Do you have a convection oven then? So lucky!

And yes, I suspect I will have gosh awful jet lag.

It could be worse the rate seems to have stabilized at 99, which is not great but not as bad as it could be. I just hope it holds pretty steady until post my trip. It was a bit disconcerting to watching it lose nearly 10% in 1 week ^_^;

Did you pick a hotel for Tokyo yet? Did you notice the book is more expensive (1800 yen) then it was last year? I wonder if that means even more stuff!

BTW have you ever tried to get into a painting class at the Dolpa?

[triplepunch.livejournal.com]

I have a hotel in mind, but haven't booked yet (lazy).

And my one big purchase a while back was a convection/microwave oven and it's so much fun! I can't cook at all, but I'm all right at baking when the mood strikes. :D

I've never tried to get into a painting class at Dolpa--I've only been to two (Dolpa 18 and HTD 4) and I'm not sure if they had the classes then. They do have them every so often at Sdato, though, right? Have you ever gone to one?

Doing faceups looks like something I'd like to try, but the initial investment with the paints and supplies makes it kind of daunting. Plus, where would I keep all that stuff? *laughs* You'll see, my room is tiny and has NO storage space whatsoever. I'll stick to clothing for now!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

So which hotel are you considering? I have to book mine still adn I am debating. >>; What part of Tokyo do you think you'll stay in?


I am good at baking :D I use to bake a lot in college and I still like to and awful lot. I cook too, but mostly I use a burner for that and I imagine you bought one of those a long time ago.

I think they have painting classes at most Dolpas, but I can't read enough Japanese to even look into it. I applied once for Dolpa and once for Sato and didn't get into either one lol I think the fact I can not speak Japanese was seen as a negative. XD; I know at Dolpa you just get the options to buy the school heads/MSD kits. (I believe the 2 new MSD ones are for Dolpa 19) I love the B and C. The Sato ones require you to buy a ton of supplies. I had the list at one point. You should totally should look into it it, I've heard you can do a lot with just pastels to brighten or darken a default look. :D

[ironfish246.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I got you a small gift, I just need to get it out to you, I feel like the demon holiday is creeping up on me.

[ironfish246.livejournal.com]

You mean the all-cleaning and no carbs holiday? ;) You need to be like me--no cleaning and no religion, though I also don't do carbs. (Knew there was a catch.)

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Nah there is potatoes and uhh nasty matzoh meal XD;;;

I think I will stick to the carbs and I'm escaping to Japan to get out of some of the Passover thing, it will rock!