Updates and A List

Well first off, I still don't have a job. No real surprise there. I am a little miffed though. It's starting to get me a little worried about saving for this trip, but with our economy nose-diving like it is who knows if I'll even be able to afford the currency exchange in November...

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Now that that's over, here are the 25 Things I Cannot Miss in and Around Tokyo (in no particular order):

1. Tsukiji Fish Market
2. Imperial Palace Gardens
3. Shopping in Ginza
4. Drinking in Shinjuku
5. Meiji-jingu (Shrine)
6. Senso-ji (Temple)
7. Yurakucho
8. Nikko
9. Kamakura
10. Jimbocho bookstores
11. Shopping on Odaiba
12. Yanaka Historic District
13. Akiba (aka Akihabara)
14. Shopping in Roppongi
15. Shibuya Crossing and Shopping
16. Ueno-koen and Shrines
17. Shopping in Shinjuku
18. Visit a knife and sword store
19. Yasukuni-jinja (Shrine)
20. Kagurazaka Historic District
21. Visit a kimono shop
22. Visit a sento or onsen
23. Hachiman-jinja (Temple)
24. Jingu-bashi on a Sunday afternoon
25. Visit a Manga shop

Notice Tokyo Tower is not on my list. I may stop by when I'm in Roppongi, but I don't feel like paying 820 Yen (approx. $8) for a view I can get for free at some other locations.

Now I should go work on my Japanese...

So.....

Well, today I got a text from my friend Austin at some horrible hour in the morning (I think it was only about 9:30, but that's early enough for me) wanting to know if I wanted to go to the mall. Figuring I could look at what jobs are available I got my lazy butt out of bed and went. Guess what... nothing. Zip, Nada, Zilch. There was nothing that I could apply for. It made me really start to question my decision that I'm going to go this November. But I've been waiting and putting it off long enough. I am going. And that is that.

On that same note, I turned in an application to IHOP. Yes, IHOP. I find it rather pitiful that a job as an underpaid waitress is my ray of hope right now. Not to mention the fact that I know I won't be given the time off to go on this trip. That means that if I really insist on going I'd have to quit the job I worked so hard to get. It kinda sucks. I guess I could just go to Japan then come back and go back to job hunting again...

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On a happier note, we went to Walmart too and I found a luggage set that I liked and it costs a lot less than I thought one of that size would. It's a five piece set, 1200D polyester, with in-line wheels, for $48.98. There's a 24" regular suitcase, a 15" carry-on suitcase, a rolling duffel bag, a small messenger style carry-on bag, and a case to put your toiletries in. It made me happy to know I could save about $80 later when I have the money to actually buy the stupid thing.

And I know that I most likely won't need all the luggage pieces for my trip, but what's to say I won't need one of the smaller bags for a later trip.

Exciting Find!!!

I have found the cutest little hotel... right in the middle of the Imperial Palace District!!! More specifically in Jimboucho!!! For those who don't know, that's the bookstore district. The hotel is just about a 5 minute walk from the antique bookstores too.

And guess the price!!! Only 6090 Yen a night. That's approximately $61 a night!! What a steal. Plus there's an in-house laundry, a 24-hour cafe, and wireless Internet.

But hold your breath for me 'cause I still have to get the money and make reservations. I'm crossing my fingers that a group doesn't book it before I can snag a room.

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I also got an estimation on how mush the plane tickets will cost... let's just say I'll be using the money I save on the hotel to cover it... I figure around $1100 give or take a few hundred. Thank God that's the round-trip fare.

Other costs/allowances include food ($1000), Transit costs ($100), Admission fees ($200), Back-up money ($300), shopping allowance ($500 or more), and Pre-travel expenses ($300).

All in all, this 2 -week trip will probably cost somewhere between $3750 and $4500!

Needs, So Far...

These are the things I have decided I need before I do much more planning:
1. Job (for the money)
2. Passport

And once I secure those two things:
1. Luggage Set

I'll make a new list once these are taken care of...

Introductions

Well, I'm Cinna. I plan to go to Tokyo, Japan in November 2009, money permitting. For now, this blog will just follow some of my preparations, frustrations, and possible changes to my plans.

Hope I don't replace counting sheep.