I am nearly ready to leave Japan for Palestine. I don't
really know what I'm getting myself into, and I'm a bit nervous, but
mostly happy/excited/optimistic.
I have no girlfriend, no pets, no car, no house/apt, no idea
what I will do after PB 52nd voyage, and very little idea what I will
do between Palestine and P/B.
I am living at Kellie's house and have been for the last
month, basically. I leave on Wednesday (2 days away).
I've gotten all 33 tapes from the 49th P/B voyage
transcribed, but I haven't gotten all my photos incorporated into my
journal. I'm running out of days, but I really want to do that still;
I am sure the importance will plummet once I'm in Palestine.
I have been playing ultimate frisbee for the past three Sundays
on the far end of the baseball fields near Futakotamagawa station. I
enjoyed playing and meeting cool people. I look forward to playing
again once I get back in Tokyo.
I've downloaded Skype, and have
enjoyed talking to Niveen free of charge, and to Fred very
cheaply.
I've been talking to Niveen who has assured me many times that
everything will be fine; she's given me advice on what to wear and
what to bring.
Just today I received the PIN for my credit card so I can get
cash out while in Palestine.
I enjoyed a great okonomiyaki food-antics party at Millenium
House last night with Jen, Shoko, Ikumi, Cyrus, Keiko, and others who
were randomly in and out of the room.
I haven't had a proper job in months, and my bank accounts are
showing it. I've got basically $1200 (US) to my name. That's
supposed to last until April 2006. Good thing my return flight is
paid.
Supposed to meet Hitomi tomorrow; she will hold my summer
clothes so I can have them for the 52nd voyage, but not worry about
them until then.
I have released my skates and helmet. I feel a
bit bad for Ikumi who held them for me while I was on the 49th voyage.
But I'm sure that was easier for her than releasing them was for
me.
In a way, I am super close to being done packing and stuff, but
I think I will unpack all the shiznit I have in the suitcase and
repack according to the list I wrote.
* = packed
In suitcase:
4 audio cassette tapes
1 camera battery recharger
1 extra camera battery
1 extra camera memory card
1 cell phone
* 1 small cell phone charger
* 1 video camera
* 1 Visor dock thing
* 1 waterproof camera case
* 2 shoes
* 3 t-shirts
* 3 long sleeved shirts
* 2 pants
* 1 shorts
* 5 underwears
* 10 socks (some are in with letter writing supplies)
* 1 video camera recharger
* 4 video tapes of stuff I think Niveen would like (in shoe)
* 4 blank video tapes (in other shoe)
* 2 AA rechargeable batteries
* 10 blank CDs and cases
* 1 janette quilt
* 1 lan cable
* stuff to write letters
* 2 books: _Evasion_ and _Democracy Reaches The Kids!_
* 3 blank flashcard books
* swimsuit
* THINK shirt
* YRUU hoodie
* pillow
In backpack / in pockets / on body
backpack
1 computer
1 computer power supply
1 itenerary
1 ticket
1 passport
1 Francois
1 Handspring Visor
1 collapseable keyboard
2 AAA rechargeable batteries
1 pair of jeans
contacts and contact juice
Niveen's contact information
Hisham's contact information
Rami's contact information
Eilat's contact information
1 toiletries case
toothbrush
toothpaste
dental floss
shampoo
deodorant stone
q-tips
1 mouthguard
1 mouthguard case
1 book _If the Buddha Dated_
pockets
1 wallet
1 camera w/ battery and memory card
1 audio cassette recorder
1 audio cassette tape
2 AA rechargeable batteries
Niveen's contact information
Hisham's contact information
Rami's contact information
Eilat's contact information
body
glasses
2 sandals
1 unders
1 shorts
1 shirt
Kellie has been accepted for an interview to sail on the 52nd
voyage! I am confident she will be invited to teach; I look forward
to sailing with her!
I have started a blog; at Dude's
recommendation I checked out wordpress, and I must say it's pretty
impressive.