The new duffel bag is packed (not nearly to overflowing); the "to do" list pared down to almost nothing; camera, iPad and mini-computer, stowed in their backpack compartments - all ready to go!
Not that there weren't some "moments" along the way ...
Where DID Lee put that money / passport pouch? Why wasn't he able to access his air flight reservation on the American Airline web site? Could all the Spring lawn clean-up be successfully completed without bringing on back spasms? Why were there two 1099-MISC forms from CWRU when only one course had been taught? Could our 2011 taxes be submitted before departure?
"Back in the day", whenever Lee planned a trip around Japan, he would put together a schedule and a list of places he'd like to visit, then drop it off at a local Japan Travel Bureau office. Within a day or two, he'd return to discuss all the details JTB had been able to work out, often including nice discounts and specific timings for trains, buses and other transportation departures and arrivals. He'd leave with a packet of prepaid tickets and vouchers covering almost every aspect of the trip, even meals (if staying at Japanese inns). Beyond the preparation of a preliminary schedule and that destination list, trips never took alot of personal time to prepare for and implement.
This time around, however, Lee leaves with a thick sheaf of computer printouts in hand, covering all those same details, no longer the results of a travel agent's intervention, but instead of hours of Internet searching, comparison shopping and decision making far beyond that demanded in "the good old days".
Still and all, the effort should pay off nicely over the weeks ahead. And the amount of information accrued along the way will make the whole trip that much more enjoyable and interesting. Lee can't wait to get underway!
First, though, comes our drive to Chicago and a day visiting with the Lonergans in Oak Park, much of it to be spent preparing Sean and Ted for what lies ahead.
Not that there weren't some "moments" along the way ...
Where DID Lee put that money / passport pouch? Why wasn't he able to access his air flight reservation on the American Airline web site? Could all the Spring lawn clean-up be successfully completed without bringing on back spasms? Why were there two 1099-MISC forms from CWRU when only one course had been taught? Could our 2011 taxes be submitted before departure?
"Back in the day", whenever Lee planned a trip around Japan, he would put together a schedule and a list of places he'd like to visit, then drop it off at a local Japan Travel Bureau office. Within a day or two, he'd return to discuss all the details JTB had been able to work out, often including nice discounts and specific timings for trains, buses and other transportation departures and arrivals. He'd leave with a packet of prepaid tickets and vouchers covering almost every aspect of the trip, even meals (if staying at Japanese inns). Beyond the preparation of a preliminary schedule and that destination list, trips never took alot of personal time to prepare for and implement.
This time around, however, Lee leaves with a thick sheaf of computer printouts in hand, covering all those same details, no longer the results of a travel agent's intervention, but instead of hours of Internet searching, comparison shopping and decision making far beyond that demanded in "the good old days".
Still and all, the effort should pay off nicely over the weeks ahead. And the amount of information accrued along the way will make the whole trip that much more enjoyable and interesting. Lee can't wait to get underway!
First, though, comes our drive to Chicago and a day visiting with the Lonergans in Oak Park, much of it to be spent preparing Sean and Ted for what lies ahead.
Sounds like you're off and running! Have a great trip!
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