Oddly enough, I don't feel excited or anything most of the time. It's more like every time I turn a paper in, or get, say, this welcome letter, the fact that I'm actually going hits me, and harder than the last time. Yes, I got a longer welcome letter finally, containing flight information. That is, there's a recommended flight (I may have discussed this already, but...), which leaves September 1 and arrives in Japan on September 2, and those of us on that flight or one arriving at the same time can meet with a group that will escort us to the JCMU campus, at our own expense, unfortunately. I think it said it'll be between $60 and $80, if I managed to convert it right.
Also, I've had a chance now to look at all the flight information and a bit of what to expect, which is all basically information about what bags you can have. If I got it right, we can have one free carry-on and one personal item (like a purse or briefcase), but within the size limits, which I think are actually fairly large, but don't take my word on that right now. We also have one free checked bag, which is the one they put in the cargo section, or whatever you want to call it. As of right now, if you have a second one, you have to pay an additional $40, and I think you can actually have up to 10, if not more, but at about $200 per bag. So basically, free carry-on and personal item to actually have on the flight, and one free 62 inch bag (62 inches being the total of length+width+height) weighing no more than 50 lbs.. Any additional bags, or bags that exceed any limits, will be charged with an additional fee. But really, all of these measurements and costs all depend on the airline, etc etc, so be sure to check the website of your airline/flight/etc etc. As for what's allowed in your baggage, you can have almost anything except for maybe flammables and explosives in your checked bag, and as long as things such as, say, bow and arrows or swords and other sharp objects, are all sheathed or wrapped so as to avoid injury to staff, etc etc. For carry-on items, it's a lot more strict. Essentially no sharp objects, though things like disposable razors are allowed, and liquids have to be in 1 quart clear ziplock-like bags, that means the, say, shampoo bottle or toothpaste, and has to be no more than 3 oz. Oh, as for the flight itself, it's about 13 hours, and the ticket for one way costs about $1500, but if you can buy a round-trip ticket, it's about $1700, at least for now. Unfortunately, it's still too early to be able to buy a round-trip ticket with a return date of April 19. However, I was told that I could either call the airport or a travel agency like STA (probably will call STA anyway) to try and get an open-ended return date ticket, or something like that. I forgot the actual term right now. I'm considering doing that, because come summer time when April tickets are available, the price will probably have gone up to about $2000. Yay. However, at least this week, I have more immediate, class-related issues to deal with (that is, tests, making study guides for the finals that are in 3 or so weeks, and a presentation tomorrow), so I won't get this done for a little while longer.
Well, now that I've figure out that, what I'm more concerned about and have been is the entire process once I'm in the airport. I'm concerned about where I have to go first off. Do I have to check in first, and when and how and where do I check in my bag, and what about going through security or whatever it is? And once I'm past that area, we just wait in some seating area before boarding the plane, right? I'm also concerned about how fast-paced everything is, because, unfortunately, I'm not good at moving too quickly. I'm a perfectionist, and I do things precisely, which means moving at a more normal speed, not too quickly. Also, it says we'll be arriving at 5:50 and that the group that escorts us to JCMU leaves at 6:05...But here's the thing: going through immigration/customs will take about an hour, and we'll barely have 15 minutes to meet with the group. Are they actually leaving at 6:05, or is that when they have us, say, get our bags and go through immigration and customs? I am very much confused. I'm sure it'll be fine, and JCMU knows all this, so obviously they have a plan and know what's going on, but I don't. So I'll either be back to ask them this soon, or I'll just wait for Orientation. Probably will wait for orientation. Maybe they'll cover that stuff during this 5 hour orientation, anyway.
I have to apologize, though, because I tend to worry about EVERYTHING. I'm starting to think I'm just not happy if I don't have something to worry about. I'm also pretty sure it's all because of my perfectionist side.
But I digress. Well, still, I think I just covered everything I'm concerned about, at least concerning the flight. Really, the flight is basically my biggest concern right now, since--as I probably said before--this is my first time really traveling via plane, alone, and internationally. I've been on 3 planes, technically, on my senior trip--2 on the way there due to a layover, and one for the trip back. And that was just to Florida, so it was maybe a 2 or 3 hour flight total one way.
In any case, I think that's all I wanted to say for now. It's late and I have a presentation tomorrow, so I'm off.
Edit: I was just researching the whole process of boarding a plane and being in the airport and stuff, and...it's less complicated than I was thinking. Just rushed, probably. Basically, check in first thing, which is also when you check in your luggage and get tags for them or something, though I'm not sure what, if anything, you're supposed to do with it then, unless the people at the desk just take your luggage, which I'm kind of thinking is what happens. Then you go through security and put your belt, watch, phone, etc into a bin to be scanned while you go through the metal detector thing or whatever (your shoes have to go, too). After you've regathered your items and carry-on item(s) and personal item if you have any, you then just find your gate and wait until your flight is called, or something like that. They also recommend getting there early enough that you'd be waiting in front of your gate for at least half an hour to an hour, just in case. All right, now just to figure out what JCMU has in mind when they say the plan arrives at 5:50 and the group leaves at 6:05...OK, I apologize. I guess it just says that the group will be meeting at 6:05, not leaving, as far as I can see. Still. Does this mean we meet with them before going through immigration and customs, or even before finding our luggage...? Because, is 15 minutes actually long enough to get my bag(s) and find the group? Well, my questions are slowly narrowing down, so...Anyway. That's all for now, then.
Also, I've had a chance now to look at all the flight information and a bit of what to expect, which is all basically information about what bags you can have. If I got it right, we can have one free carry-on and one personal item (like a purse or briefcase), but within the size limits, which I think are actually fairly large, but don't take my word on that right now. We also have one free checked bag, which is the one they put in the cargo section, or whatever you want to call it. As of right now, if you have a second one, you have to pay an additional $40, and I think you can actually have up to 10, if not more, but at about $200 per bag. So basically, free carry-on and personal item to actually have on the flight, and one free 62 inch bag (62 inches being the total of length+width+height) weighing no more than 50 lbs.. Any additional bags, or bags that exceed any limits, will be charged with an additional fee. But really, all of these measurements and costs all depend on the airline, etc etc, so be sure to check the website of your airline/flight/etc etc. As for what's allowed in your baggage, you can have almost anything except for maybe flammables and explosives in your checked bag, and as long as things such as, say, bow and arrows or swords and other sharp objects, are all sheathed or wrapped so as to avoid injury to staff, etc etc. For carry-on items, it's a lot more strict. Essentially no sharp objects, though things like disposable razors are allowed, and liquids have to be in 1 quart clear ziplock-like bags, that means the, say, shampoo bottle or toothpaste, and has to be no more than 3 oz. Oh, as for the flight itself, it's about 13 hours, and the ticket for one way costs about $1500, but if you can buy a round-trip ticket, it's about $1700, at least for now. Unfortunately, it's still too early to be able to buy a round-trip ticket with a return date of April 19. However, I was told that I could either call the airport or a travel agency like STA (probably will call STA anyway) to try and get an open-ended return date ticket, or something like that. I forgot the actual term right now. I'm considering doing that, because come summer time when April tickets are available, the price will probably have gone up to about $2000. Yay. However, at least this week, I have more immediate, class-related issues to deal with (that is, tests, making study guides for the finals that are in 3 or so weeks, and a presentation tomorrow), so I won't get this done for a little while longer.
Well, now that I've figure out that, what I'm more concerned about and have been is the entire process once I'm in the airport. I'm concerned about where I have to go first off. Do I have to check in first, and when and how and where do I check in my bag, and what about going through security or whatever it is? And once I'm past that area, we just wait in some seating area before boarding the plane, right? I'm also concerned about how fast-paced everything is, because, unfortunately, I'm not good at moving too quickly. I'm a perfectionist, and I do things precisely, which means moving at a more normal speed, not too quickly. Also, it says we'll be arriving at 5:50 and that the group that escorts us to JCMU leaves at 6:05...But here's the thing: going through immigration/customs will take about an hour, and we'll barely have 15 minutes to meet with the group. Are they actually leaving at 6:05, or is that when they have us, say, get our bags and go through immigration and customs? I am very much confused. I'm sure it'll be fine, and JCMU knows all this, so obviously they have a plan and know what's going on, but I don't. So I'll either be back to ask them this soon, or I'll just wait for Orientation. Probably will wait for orientation. Maybe they'll cover that stuff during this 5 hour orientation, anyway.
I have to apologize, though, because I tend to worry about EVERYTHING. I'm starting to think I'm just not happy if I don't have something to worry about. I'm also pretty sure it's all because of my perfectionist side.
But I digress. Well, still, I think I just covered everything I'm concerned about, at least concerning the flight. Really, the flight is basically my biggest concern right now, since--as I probably said before--this is my first time really traveling via plane, alone, and internationally. I've been on 3 planes, technically, on my senior trip--2 on the way there due to a layover, and one for the trip back. And that was just to Florida, so it was maybe a 2 or 3 hour flight total one way.
In any case, I think that's all I wanted to say for now. It's late and I have a presentation tomorrow, so I'm off.
Edit: I was just researching the whole process of boarding a plane and being in the airport and stuff, and...it's less complicated than I was thinking. Just rushed, probably. Basically, check in first thing, which is also when you check in your luggage and get tags for them or something, though I'm not sure what, if anything, you're supposed to do with it then, unless the people at the desk just take your luggage, which I'm kind of thinking is what happens. Then you go through security and put your belt, watch, phone, etc into a bin to be scanned while you go through the metal detector thing or whatever (your shoes have to go, too). After you've regathered your items and carry-on item(s) and personal item if you have any, you then just find your gate and wait until your flight is called, or something like that. They also recommend getting there early enough that you'd be waiting in front of your gate for at least half an hour to an hour, just in case. All right, now just to figure out what JCMU has in mind when they say the plan arrives at 5:50 and the group leaves at 6:05...OK, I apologize. I guess it just says that the group will be meeting at 6:05, not leaving, as far as I can see. Still. Does this mean we meet with them before going through immigration and customs, or even before finding our luggage...? Because, is 15 minutes actually long enough to get my bag(s) and find the group? Well, my questions are slowly narrowing down, so...Anyway. That's all for now, then.