Time to Get Going

Posted on 22. Sep, 2010 by in Stories

Wow.

After two years, 257 posts and a multitude of sleepless nights, my departure date is finally here. No longer will you, loyal blog readers, have to listen to me whine about how ready I am to go travel. Now I can finally do what I’ve been wanting to do for a very, very long time.

Tomorrow I will stumble jet lagged into the crazy and complex city of Tokyo.

An Airbus in downtown Hong Kong

photo credit: lrargerich

I’m excited to finally visit Japan. I can tell that it’s a complex country: a mix of tradition and history with frenetic twenty-first century modernism. I already know it warrants a much longer visit than I’m allowing. Unfortunately it’s the most expensive country I’m planning to visit, so I will only be able to spend a short couple of weeks here. Hopefully that will be enough time to at least get a feel for the land of the rising sun (and to break in my rusty backpacker skills before I head to China).

These are some off the things I’m looking forward to in Japan.

  • Visiting my friend Anna, who has been teaching English in Japan for over a year now. She is meeting me in Tokyo for a fun filled weekend, then I’ll be spending a few days at her home in Shizuoka near the base of Mount Fuji. I can’t wait to see my funny old friend!
  • Kyoto- the imperial capital of Japan with an unfathomable number of beautiful palaces and gardens. I love old stuff and I’m sure I will want to see as much as possible!
  • Giving sushi a second chance. I know I’m a freak, but to be honest, I really don’t like fish. I’ve never warmed to the idea of eating raw animals, but I’m determined to give it my best shot while here.

I have a lot of things to look forward to, in Japan, and even further down the line. For now though I’m concentrating on staying sane through a 14 hour non-stop flight over the Pacific. I’ll have my netbook and a juicy Outlander book to keep me company.

I will do my best to update within a few days of arriving.

Until then… here goes nothing…

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44 Responses to “Time to Get Going”

  1. Kelsey

    22. Sep, 2010

    Good luck!

    Remember to look right, not left, when crossing the street in Japan.

    Reply to this comment

  2. Kirsty

    22. Sep, 2010

    Ah Japan… it’s eluded me for years but is at the top of my list. Looking forward to reading all about it!

    China is my favourite country so far. It’s fun and crazy and bizarre and huge and I love it! Enjoy.

    Reply to this comment

  3. Kristian

    22. Sep, 2010

    Good luck and have a good time! I wish I was in your position right now, only 222 days left haha….

    Looking forward to the blogging from the road.

    Reply to this comment

  4. ayngelina

    22. Sep, 2010

    Good luck! It’s going to be an amazing adventure and I’m looking forward to reading about it.

    Reply to this comment

  5. Andrea

    22. Sep, 2010

    BON VOYAGE!!!

    Reply to this comment

  6. Kacie

    22. Sep, 2010

    Have a great first day…look forward to reading all about Japan!

    Reply to this comment

  7. Michael Tyson

    22. Sep, 2010

    Good on you! I’m fairly interested in traveling to Japan myself so I’m looking forward to these blog posts. Hopefully there will be some nice autumn colours to greet you too – whenever I think of Japan I either think of autumnal maple leaves or spring cherry blossoms – mmm botanical porn… ahem, sorry about that. Enjoy!

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Sep, 2010

      Still hoping to see some autumn colors- mainly just rain so far!

      Reply to this comment

  8. Jenny

    22. Sep, 2010

    Congratulations on following your heart and rewriting your story! Many people are not as brave as you. I also am not fond of eating fish, in fact, I won’t touch it with a 10-foot pole. I used to be a really picky eater but after some travel experience, I will try anything once… So when I caught a piranha in the Amazon I had to eat it. I found that fish was actually pretty good and now I’ll order it in restaurants and what not. I did try raw sushi and while I don’t prefer it, I can at least stand it.

    Japan sounds like a fun place to start! South East Asia has been calling my name and I think after I hit the states I’ll go there.

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Sep, 2010

      Yeah its hard to be a picky eater on the road- so many interesting challenges!

      Reply to this comment

  9. Andrew

    22. Sep, 2010

    Woo! Good luck Steph! You are going to have the time of your life!

    Reply to this comment

  10. Nicki

    22. Sep, 2010

    Good luck! Have a fabulous journey!

    Reply to this comment

  11. Tokyo Travel Gal

    22. Sep, 2010

    YAY Steph! So excited to hear about your traveling plans while in Japan :) You will love it, plus meeting with an old friend? that’s awesome. Also you must take lots of pics of Kyoto (and share here), AND try sushi (maybe ask for the rolls that have more veggies than fish. perhaps your friend can guide you). Hope you have a safe flight. All the best!

    Reply to this comment

  12. adam

    22. Sep, 2010

    happy travels! see you in asia!

    Reply to this comment

  13. Washi

    22. Sep, 2010

    Bon voyage! Looking forward to that pic of Mount Fuji :)

    Reply to this comment

  14. Pam G

    22. Sep, 2010

    Just found your blog and I love it. Can’t wait to hear about your journey.

    Reply to this comment

  15. Skott & Shawna

    22. Sep, 2010

    Happy Trails – looking forward to following you around!!

    Cheers!

    Reply to this comment

  16. Cam

    22. Sep, 2010

    Good luck! Japan is a fantastic country. One of our all time fav’s

    Reply to this comment

  17. Nicolette

    22. Sep, 2010

    Happy adventure!

    Reply to this comment

  18. Andi

    22. Sep, 2010

    Oh wow, super congrats and best wishes. Japan is an awesome country. Try to make it to Hakone! What a picture btw!!!

    Reply to this comment

  19. Michael

    22. Sep, 2010

    Take lots of notes for when you take me to Japan….

    Reply to this comment

  20. Nate

    22. Sep, 2010

    So pumped for you.

    Reply to this comment

  21. ehalvey

    22. Sep, 2010

    Sayonara!

    Reply to this comment

  22. Erica

    22. Sep, 2010

    Octopus is my favorite. Fresh, it is not chewy and the texture is awesome. Give it a try!

    Reply to this comment

  23. aelle

    22. Sep, 2010

    JAPAN!

    Reply to this comment

  24. Keith

    23. Sep, 2010

    Congratulations for making it all happen. Enjoy every last second!

    Reply to this comment

  25. Shannon OD

    23. Sep, 2010

    Congrat’s Steph! Looking forward to your Japan adventures :)

    Reply to this comment

  26. Candice

    23. Sep, 2010

    Damn, commented on that last post before reading this one. But CONGRATS!

    Reply to this comment

  27. Jaime

    23. Sep, 2010

    Congrats after 2 years of planning it is finally here. I am so excited for you and am gonna be reading all your adventures along the way.

    Reply to this comment

  28. Prime

    23. Sep, 2010

    Good Luck! I hope yopu’ll enjopy your Asian trip. Contact me if you happen to drop by in Manila, I’ll be happy to be a tour guide. :)

    Reply to this comment

  29. Jo

    23. Sep, 2010

    I just found your blog the other day as well – can’t wait to read about all the travels, I’m a 20 something travel addict as well :-) Japan is amazing, I’ve been there twice now, so many contrasts between crazy modern and traditional old. You’ll love it, especially staying with someone that knows the ropes a bit, have FUN! (and get anna to teach you how to recognise the katakana for chicken if you don’t like fish, it’ll come in very handy!)

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Sep, 2010

      Thanks Jo, glad you found me! so far there seem to be a fair bit of fish alternatives- luckily!

      Reply to this comment

  30. Vi

    23. Sep, 2010

    Autumn in Japan should be fantastic!

    Reply to this comment

  31. Brooke, WhyGo Australia

    24. Sep, 2010

    Wee! Good luck, especially with that sushi bit! I’m with you on the not liking fish or raw animals :) Soon enough I’ll be seeing you down under. Can’t wait!

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Sep, 2010

      yeah, I’m’ no fan of fish raw or cooked in general. Japanese sushi is definitely quite different though!

      Reply to this comment

  32. Garreth J Lodge

    24. Sep, 2010

    Have an awesome time, extremely jealous! Only 40 weeks till I graduate then I’m off to Beijing so start my travels. Look forward to reading your blog!

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Sep, 2010

      Good luck to you as well! 40 weeks will go faster than you think.

      Reply to this comment

  33. Verity

    09. Nov, 2010

    It’s awesome that you finally started your RTW! I am so jealous. I have a lot of catching up to do of where you have travelled so far :)

    Reply to this comment

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