Six hours remain...

Hello! You found the compass!


       So the day has finally arrived. Class consisted of cheering, smiling, and last-minute emergency planning. We're now ready for our flights.

      I suppose I should give a breakdown of our itinerary, so here it goes! Our trip is, first of all, being held by the marvelous Dr. Kailai Huang. At 3AM tonight, I will be traveling in Dr. Huang's wife's car, along with Tess (my Freshman and Sophomore year room mate and awesome person) and Franco (new found friend, thanks to this trip), to Albany Airport. The three of us will board a plane to Washington D.C., and take a connecting flight back up north to Newark, New Jersey. (Flights make sense like that.) In Newark, we will meet up with the rest of the group (Dr. Huang and the five other students) and together we will fly to Tokyo. When in Tokyo, we exchange dollars for yen, get JR passes (Japan's Charlie Cards, sort of), and take a four hour train ride to Kyoto, where we finally rest.

Bed not necessary.

         The detailed itinerary (courtesy of Tess):

         March 8th 
3:00am - Meet Dr. Huang's wife on campus, drive to Albany Airport.
5:30am - Take off from Albany to Washington D.C. for our layover.
7:26am - Land in Washington D.C
8:27am - Take off from Washington D.C. for Newark, New Jersey.
9:46am - Land in Newark, NJ and meet up with Dr. Huang and the rest of the group. 
10:45am - Take off from Newark, NJ for Tokyo, Narita (Japan).

     
  




 







March 9th (Japanese time and dates now!)
3:00pm - Land in Tokyo, Narita Airport.



      Once in Japan, we will be seeing many places: The Mazda Museum, The Golden Pavilion, Hiroshima and the A-Bomb Dome, and the Kyoto Manga Museum, to name only a few. One of the most interesting places we are getting the privilege to visit is the Kyoto Imperial Palace. For the first time since he began the Japan trips, Dr. Huang's application to get a private tour was accepted! So, our group gets a one hour private tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace! No word yet on whether or not his Tokyo Imperial Palace application was accepted or denied. We will at least see the outside and the gardens.

      I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that we will be in Japan. It's really crazy to think about it! I've packed twice to make sure I have everything I need (which is mostly clothing anyway). The day after we arrive, our adventures begin! I will post on the blog that night. As I've said, there will be pictures and perhaps videos. I will also try to add in some Japanese, just for fun.

      Now all there is left to do is wait. I have a feeling that 3AM will come very, very slowly. Leave me comments and stuff! I'll miss everyone!


      Oyasuminasai! ("goodnight")