Entries this day: Today_and_yesterday tomorrow!

Today and yesterday

5:17pm JST Wednesday 18 May 2005

Yesterday I researched Port Said some, and got stuck when I couldn't find a map of the city. Anywhere. I looked for five hours, and I'm not the least knowledgeable internet user that I know. After I translated "Port Said map" to Arabic and searched using variants of the resulting symbols, but still found nothing, I knew it was time to stop.

Today I put together some information on the Panama Canal, Cristobal and Balboa. We may dock at Cristobal or Balboa (or neither), depending on traffic. I don't care if we don't stop there; all accounts say going through the canal is the most interesting.

Jen searched for a Port Said map for me today. She searched for about five minutes before determining it was impossible.

Also today I bought rechargeable batteries AAA and AA (four each) and looked for voice recorders, but they had none at PC Depot.

Exchanged money into US dollars: 66,??? yen => US$600 in smallish bills. Automatic machine to do it. Pretty cool system, though I think a tad expensive.

Sold a carton of soy milk to Shoko (who went with me yesterday to show me where to buy them for 100 yen; I bought two) after I haven't used either of mine, with only 18 hours to go in this house. She said the price went up at the grocery today, but I gave her the discount price.

Shoko wrote to Yahoo!BB to tell them cats to cancel my bank drafts. She thinks it will be a pain in the arse, but we'll see what happens.

Now it's time to clean my room. I took my two suits (expensive one I bought in LA, and the one Tim Harrington gave me when he left Tsunashima) to the cleaners with the intention that they will stay there safely for 3 months. I hope it works. I didn't tell the guy cause I thought it would be too much trouble to explain.

Gave my hard shiny black shoes (that I bought in LA) to Mark, cause they don't fit me and it would be a shame to toss expensive shoes. They fit him perfectly.

Got a box from the courier place on the corner (the one with my favorite logo in Japan: mama cat carrying kitten) to put the last of my junk in.

okay go go go

7:00pm

Making some progress. I showered, then washed and packed all my toiletries. For tonight / tomorrow night, and then for on the boat. Put the Hong Kong 2 dollar coin in my wallet that Daniel (Edwards) gave me. I'm goin' to Hong Kong so I'll be able to spend it!

9:22pm

Hitomi arrived. She's not being talkative.

10:29pm JST Wednesday 18 May 2005

Just took an hour break to make Roboyaki. Hitomi came down to help and she started talking. Matteo bought me three bottle of various sports drinks cause he didn't know which is my favorite! Ikumi brought me three things of chocolate, milk pudding, and some chips! Whoooo!

I'm going to pack for 30 minutes then go down and chat.

11:49pm

Progress is good. Clothes are in the dryer. Ikumi offered to keep my skates, helmet and pads. (Where are my (huge) Pro Designed knee pads?) The box that Elvis offered to keep is basically done. Suitcase that Jimmy loaned me is basically done. Just gotta toss trash-boxes and bags into the hall where hopefully Aaron can use them.

tomorrow!

tomorrow!

Well, I'm still working the kinks out of this email thing; I'm still red with
embarassment about the last email that for all I know went out to everyone. 
Instead of adding an email to the list, I sent an email to the list.  D'oh!

But, tonight is basically the last night before I embark on PB!!  I've
gotten all my junk packed, all my junk almost stored, and all I need to do now is
throw away a few final items from my room.  Things are looking up!

Tomorrow we have the Handover Meeting from the last voyage teaching team to this
voyage teaching team.  Then I'll go see Steele Magnolias starring my friend Louise
as the woman who was played by Julia Roberts, and *then* wake up early and go get
on the boat!   I'll actually be teaching on Friday - some sample lessons and then
we leave on Saturday.

I don't know if I'll be able to get off the boat Friday night to say BYE to people
who come to Yokohama Port.

Internet access will be sporadic; I plan to write journal entries locally and then
upload them when I get to a cafe.

Everyone be well!  I will as well.

    Bon Voyage!
      - Rob!