It begins...

While January 18th is fast approaching, I still have yet to purchase my boarding pass.

I have little planned for when I get there. I know that, for the most part, there will be much wandering and oogling. People worry about getting lost while abroad. I worry that I might not get lost. I've wanted to experience vertigo in Tokyo ever since I was 12. Then again, I don't know that I'd ever want to get un-lost once I'm there.

I have just recently done one thing I've told everyone I'm going to do. I've hung my map of Japan on the wall. There it sits, just waiting for the thumbtacks of destiny to dictate which points of interest interest me most. I have a general outline of the fortnight sketched out in my head, but it hasn't yet translated itself to the map.

Tokyo, obviously, will be my first stop. If Tei proves true, I will have free room and board with him and his family just outside Yokohama proper. That's close to Tokyo. I'll be there for a few days, exploring Tokyo and surrounding areas.

Next, I will be heading south. I'm not exactly sure where my first stop will be. I'm thinking Nara. I plan on meeting up with Nicole there.

Okayama would come next. That's where Nicole lives. The majority of my trip will be spent here. Well, here, and around here. Okayama is almost equidistant from both Osaka and Hiroshima. A couple of day trips while Nicole is in class should be on the list.

I expect it will be easier to figure out what to do while I am in Japan. That's the hope, anyway. When I have a more comprehensive itinerary, you'll know.