Solid progress

[skyring]

I'm all set now.

Well, I've got all my bookings made, anyway. Yesterday I handed over a great big wodge of money to Flight Centre (they charge extra for credit, you see) and thgey'll be sending me an e-ticket soon. I got my Istanbul flight changed, but a few other things didn't happen. Like codeshares and finding a less direct route between Chicago and Washington.

All my accommodation is booked.
Tokyo: cheap hotel near airport
Singapore: airside hotel room
London: St Pauls Hostel (my usual place, comfy and convenient)
Turkey: Orient Hostel - rooftop bar has a great view
Frankfurt: Same hostel as last time on the banks of the Main.
USA: Mostly guest rooms/couches
Charleston: shared hotel room with ResQgeek

And a couple of night flights.

I've got all the paperwork for these in my documents folder so I can whip out the booking confirmation when I arrive at the desk. (And have the address to show to taxidrivers etc.)

I'm getting started on packing. Registering books, making sure clothes are clean and ironed. Batteries charged, all dongles included.

I should be fine for Friday.

And then I'll see if I can post updates along the way. At least lounge access usually includes free Internet.

Comments

[miketroll.livejournal.com]

I'm impressed by and envious of your preparedness! I'm still not quite there. I guess you'll also see the Evil Chocolate Goddess in Frankfurt. I'm envious of that too!

See you in Charleston!

:)

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Experience makes things easier. Most of this trip will be stuff I've done before, places I've been, people I've met.

Actually entering Japan and staying at a hotel is something I wouldn't have dared do all by myself even a year ago.

I'm an old hand at booking and staying at hostels. And again, I've stayed at two of the three before. Three different trips in the case of the St Pauls one.

Packing is mainly a matter of working out what to leave behind, rather than taking everything. Books and biscuits are mandatory. Clothes will have to be worn a couple of days before washing (and remember to have a change of clothes to wear while you are doing the laundry). Documentation needs to be organised so it is available when needed and you don't have to fumble in your backpack. Dongles and cords MUST be organised and stowed away in little bags (airline amenity kit bags are good for this) otherwise everything gets tangled up and lost.

I also have an A4 size portfolio of plastic sleeves, into which i tuck things like maps, ticket stubs, menus. Ephemera that I assemble into a travel journal when I get time with a flat surface, glue and scissors.

[gir1fromipanema.livejournal.com]

Totally agree on experience and the bags and portfolio. Now, I need only about 20 minutes to pack for a weeklong business trip (for a holiday trip like my hike last year, I work out lists/mindmaps beforehand and just grab and pack; needs a bit longer :-)).
Good to hear that biscuits are mandatory ;-).
Hopefully I can be in Frankfurt on Saturday (afternoon? evening?).
Bon voyage!