Everything is finally set in stone. Rob is arriving on Monday. Although school is in session and we have no other holidays, F-U-N begins!!
日光、鬼怒川（１泊２日): Besides the usual tourist attractions, and other places yet to decide on, we're going to my favorite place of all time: 日光江戸村. Ninjas, geishas, shows, village in the Edo period, what is there not to love?
ソウル、韓国(３泊４日): I'm receiving crash courses on phrases, such as "This please," "Refills please," "Please take my picture," and "It's too expensive, make it cheaper please." In fact, it's giving me more motivation to study for my Korean class. I'm already getting a cultural shock before I go. Time for some bimbimbap, bulgogi, and other CHEAP spicy food in KOREA! Then again, we suspected that Korean cuisines in New York is just as authentic. Itinerary includes palaces, Seoul tower, night markets, bus tours, and maybe the world's largest indoor amusement park, Lotte World.
台北(１０泊１１日): After many ferris wheel rides, it's time for the largest one in the world. For the first time, Rob will be my tour guide. Endless shopping, eating, and clubbing.
富士急: I love amusement parks! It's the home of many world record rides in previous years. There's also a special promotion now.
横浜(１泊２日): I have always wanted to visit Japan's largest chinatown. Ramen museum, cruises, and pictures, pictures, pictures!
If time and money allows, Kyoto. I highly doubt it though. I'll be so poor! I already am!
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In August, my mom is visiting for a week or so. She is WORRIED that I can't carry all of my luggages by myself. It's all a lie, Rob can easily help me bring back my luggages. She had always wanted to come to Japan. After all, she was a Japanese drama junkie. Also, she is going to Hong Kong without me. Boohoo! Maybe I can convince her to go to a hot spring in Hakone or Kyoto with me.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Travel Agencies in Japan
I've come to these conclusions after dealing with travel agencies for 2 weeks:
1. With the technology, Japan is super slow. A flight purchase cannot be done without talking to a third party. Without sites similar to Orbitz and Expedia, the process, if done by phone, may take up to 1 hour (excluding waiting time and time I spent biking to 7-11 to fax my passport). Ironically, it takes up to a week if it is done online.
2. The entire process for purchasing a ticket online, includes: a) filling out an application, b) waiting for the seat availability reply (1+ days later), c) writing an email to tell them that you are interested to reserve, d) (2+ days later) an email asking for passport information, e) a phone call. Even after that, the procedure is not complete. Note: many travel agencies do not accept credit card. In Japan, it seems that bank transfers are much more popular.
3. When the say "traditonal," they mean TRADITIONAL! The entire process, if done in the site of a travel agency, includes flipping through binders of the size of a phonebook. It follows by using the computer and making phone calls to check availability. After almost an hour, the travel agency told me what I had found out in less than 1 minute on Orbitz.
4. The school's travel agency is a rip-off. They are not any cheaper than any other travel agency in Japan. In fact, taking the wide range of promotions available outside in consideration, their prices are doubled. Also, the employees are so unintelligent that they tried to brainwash me! They couldn't believe the prices that I have found. Well, it was half their prices. So much for a student discount! They were trying to convince me that the travel agencies I have found were untrustworthy. Yet, I have found them by the most legitimate middle-person websites, JTB and Yahoo.
5. On the flip side, great customer service. Although slow, every email is written with so much honorifics that I have to read it twice. Also, you get super-personal help if reserved by phone or in person. After I got the name of 1 worker, I know she is on it! The special treatment is as if I am a VIP.
6. Forget student discount, and go JTB! JTB offers crazy promotions. Also, there are special, special promotions to Kyoto and other places for foreigners. By "special promotion," I mean a package including accomodation that is cheaper than the cheapest Shinkansen ride by itself. Exclusive free pass offers that are not available to Japanese.
This must have been one of the most memorable hardship in Japan, next to getting a cell phone here.
1. With the technology, Japan is super slow. A flight purchase cannot be done without talking to a third party. Without sites similar to Orbitz and Expedia, the process, if done by phone, may take up to 1 hour (excluding waiting time and time I spent biking to 7-11 to fax my passport). Ironically, it takes up to a week if it is done online.
2. The entire process for purchasing a ticket online, includes: a) filling out an application, b) waiting for the seat availability reply (1+ days later), c) writing an email to tell them that you are interested to reserve, d) (2+ days later) an email asking for passport information, e) a phone call. Even after that, the procedure is not complete. Note: many travel agencies do not accept credit card. In Japan, it seems that bank transfers are much more popular.
3. When the say "traditonal," they mean TRADITIONAL! The entire process, if done in the site of a travel agency, includes flipping through binders of the size of a phonebook. It follows by using the computer and making phone calls to check availability. After almost an hour, the travel agency told me what I had found out in less than 1 minute on Orbitz.
4. The school's travel agency is a rip-off. They are not any cheaper than any other travel agency in Japan. In fact, taking the wide range of promotions available outside in consideration, their prices are doubled. Also, the employees are so unintelligent that they tried to brainwash me! They couldn't believe the prices that I have found. Well, it was half their prices. So much for a student discount! They were trying to convince me that the travel agencies I have found were untrustworthy. Yet, I have found them by the most legitimate middle-person websites, JTB and Yahoo.
5. On the flip side, great customer service. Although slow, every email is written with so much honorifics that I have to read it twice. Also, you get super-personal help if reserved by phone or in person. After I got the name of 1 worker, I know she is on it! The special treatment is as if I am a VIP.
6. Forget student discount, and go JTB! JTB offers crazy promotions. Also, there are special, special promotions to Kyoto and other places for foreigners. By "special promotion," I mean a package including accomodation that is cheaper than the cheapest Shinkansen ride by itself. Exclusive free pass offers that are not available to Japanese.
This must have been one of the most memorable hardship in Japan, next to getting a cell phone here.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Keep the Food Coming
I shall continue to do the fob sign/victory sign/peace sign while I can without being judged! (^O^)
Pigeon-Buster
Now, imagine yourself in a tight, enclosed space with pigeons flapping and flying around. This is what I had to deal with, x3.
Last semester, I had to deal with the pigeon droppings at my balcony. It was later cleaned up for me. In fact, they even put a green net up as a blockage.
The Inage-pigeons are fiery. This is why there are metal sliding doors guarding our garbage.
Now, that everything is blocked off, they are finding new ways to disturb the peace of the C.U. International Housing. Earlier this week, I walked down the hall to do laundry. At first glance, the laundry room was filthy. Initially, I thought it was a dirty hallmate or puke. I sensed that something was moving, looked up, and screamed.
Anyway, for the rest of the story, go to Cori's Blog.
Last semester, I had to deal with the pigeon droppings at my balcony. It was later cleaned up for me. In fact, they even put a green net up as a blockage.
The Inage-pigeons are fiery. This is why there are metal sliding doors guarding our garbage.
Now, that everything is blocked off, they are finding new ways to disturb the peace of the C.U. International Housing. Earlier this week, I walked down the hall to do laundry. At first glance, the laundry room was filthy. Initially, I thought it was a dirty hallmate or puke. I sensed that something was moving, looked up, and screamed.
Anyway, for the rest of the story, go to Cori's Blog.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Harajuku With 2 Koreans
(Note: It's supposed to be ESJ in one of the pictures)
HAPPY GOLDEN WEEK! (In Japan, we are all enjoying our 5-day weekend.)
Meet Eun-Jung and Jane. Eun-Jung lives down the hall. I went to my home visit with her. Also, I spend countless hours speaking Japanese to her. She finishes my sentences, corrects my grammar, and successfully figures out what I am trying to say after a list of self-created Japanese words. Jane, who I have known for almost 9 years, is one of my closest friend. We studied Japanese together for 6 years, and I also went to a Korean church with her. Now, she is a foreign exchange student at 筑波大学 (north of Tokyo). Jane is also responsible for every Korean words I know, including the usual greetings, "really", "stop", etc.
After more than half a year of living in Japan, Jane and I finally met up at 原宿. I invited Eun-Jung, because she was extremely interested to meet a Korean American. I knew it would work out when they individually told me how nice the other person was.
We started out the day with Jane speaking to Eun-Jung in Korean, while I am speaking to Jane in English and Eun-Jung in Japanese. Funny triangular relationship. Although we focused on Japanese, it only got worse. Jane started to speak to Eun-Jung in English, and I would reply in Korean as if I understand the conversation.
Jane bought me お土産 from Korea and Tsukuba. It included tea and snacks. THANK YOU! Unfortunately, Jane had to leave early. Thereafter, Eun-Jung and I spent the rest of the day at 渋谷. We ended the day with our feet sore. On the upside, I bought a BUNCH of things and spent very little money (despite the fact that I am a 貧乏人). In addition, we went to 明治神宮 to pick up a charm that I will soon send to my father who is sick.
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