skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Getting close to departure time

18 years ago

My travel friend Marilyn and I have to leave home at 4:30am Sunday morning for LAX to catch an 8:30am flight to Kobe, Japan.

In Kobe we have a hotel for two nights, will sightsee and have dinner with a Japanese family that lived next door to use for 10 years before moving back to Kobe last year.

Next Wednesday we board the Holland America Stratendam bound for Tokyo where a childhood friend will meet us at the dock and show us around. His daughter is getting married the next day and we got permission from the captain to leave the ship and meet it at the next port but a few days later were told we were required to take all luggage off the ship when we left for those two days. That weekend is the beginning of Golden Week, the busiest travel week in Japan. Two women, with three pieces of luggage on extremely crowded trains would be no fun at all. I know, I did it back in 1983 (without luggage) and it was suffocating. I envision our local newspaper headlines "Irvine Woman Crushed in Tokyo Train". Never again! So, no wedding for us.

Hokkaido will be the last stop in Japan before heading to Kamchatka, Russia. Then we hit the Bering Sea (maybe I'll spy the fellows from the Deadliest Catch TV show :-) and on to Kodiak, Homer, Glacier Bay and Sitka before heading to Vancouver where we disembark and fly home on May 10th.

Will take lots and lots of pictures. I took 1,200 when I went to Antarctica and Argentina but will be able to take more this time because I have a new camera that accepts much larger memory cards.

Jodi-

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (21)

Linda Wayman
18 years ago
Jodi, that's going to be so exciting. Too bad about missing the wedding. I hope you have a fun and safe trip. We will be looking forward to seeing some fantastic pictures.

Linda
kacram
18 years ago
Jodi, sounds amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know you will have a great time!
waitning to see phots!
Related Discussions
Time is getting close for the FL get togethers ....keep at top
Q
Comments (31)
Well, we had a wonderful visit. Nita is just as everyone describes--and she really does give great hugs. Carol is cute as can be and so comfortable to be around. I really enjoyed their visit and so did Harry. For lunch we had ham salad, tarragon chicken salad and egg salad sandwiches, a pasta salad, tomato-feta salad and for dessert raspberry trifle. I can't believe we talked for over four hours--the time just flew by. The weather was cold and rainy but it was sunny and warm in my house today!
...See More
Time is getting close.... :).... :)
Q
Comments (8)
Hi sabjimata. Yes, the fixture is mine. I guess I'm like a lot of people....I stress over things that I shouldn't. I've always been a "perfectionist". If things are not the way I think they should be then I go nuts trying to figure out how to make it right. Years ago things needed to be matched and co-ordinated. I once spent hours working on a cornacopea trying to get the falling leaves placed just so so...lol. I choose to think I was being a perfectionist instead of nuts!
...See More
length of time from purchase offer to closing
Q
Comments (4)
60 days would be a push. TX contracts won't let you go over 90 days. It also depends on your market. In a hot market, anything over 45 might give the seller incentive to take a different offer, unless yours is really strong..ie, high price, preapproved or cash, no contingencies, good cash dn if financed, large amount of earnest money. Another thing to consider is the time of year. If you push the closing date back to nov 6 for example, and the deal falls thru, the sellers risk being stuck with the home until spring when sales pick up again. Most sales drop off dramatically between nov and feb. It also depends on the reason. If the buyer is wanting to wait 60-90 days for something derogatory to come off their credit, I would pass on it as a seller. It lets me know they have shaky credit, and the deal isn't strong. If they just aren't moving here yet, then I might see if they would close in 45 days, and lease back to me for 2 months, so they are closed, and the deal is done, and yet, they would receive income from the house, so they would cover the mortgage until they move.
...See More
Only one sash will close at a time on double hung windows
Q
Comments (2)
Post up a picture if you can. Have you checked the track for obstructions and balancer functionality? Is this a brand new, i.e. overnight, problem?
...See More
jannie
18 years ago
Have a wonderful time!
maryanntx
18 years ago
Sounds like a trip of a lifetime! I know you will have a great time and I'm sure looking forward to hearing about the trip and seeing the pictures. You are so fortunate to be able to make so many exciting trips!
lydia1959
18 years ago
Have fun!

Looking forward to seeing your trip pictures when you get back.
glenda_al
18 years ago
Don't have to tell you, but have a MARVELOUS trip!
Enjoyed so much your Antarctica trip pics and know this trip will be just as fabulous!

Stay well, stay safe, and most of all ENJOY every single moment!
bestlawn
18 years ago
Oh gosh, I am exhausted. LOL
Have a wonderful trip. Hope your friend won't be disappointed about the wedding. You'll still get to see the friend thought, right?
Jodi_SoCal
Original Author
18 years ago
Yep, my friend in Tokyo will be meeting us at the ship when we walk off.
FlamingO in AR
18 years ago
Jodi, you are going to have the best time with your friend, Marilyn. I'm sorry about the wedding, but you're right, lugging all that luggage (why do you think they call it luggage, anyway?) lol, wouldn't be any fun at all and you run the risk of losing some of it, which could be tragic since you bought a lot of new clothes!

Bon voyage and all that, fly with skill, eat with gusto and be sure to savor the moments! Good luck catching up with the Deadliest Catch guys, they do get around! The Northwestern and the Wizard both port in Seattle.

Anyway, I wish I was coming with you! Have some saki for me, or plum wine. Cheers!

Here is a link that might be useful: The captains and crews, out and about...
evatx
18 years ago
What wonderful plans! Have a great time and get ready to post pics when you return.
grammahony
18 years ago
Sounds like a great trip ahead. I'll be waiting for the pictures.
Leslie
carol_in_california
18 years ago
Have a wonderful time!
Our DDIL told us about Golden Week and told us it would be better if we came later.
We leave on May 17th for ten days.
tannatonk23_fl_z9a
18 years ago
Have a wonderful trip, Jodi! I love being able to see the world thru my KT friend's eyes. Can't wait to see the photos. Your Antartica and Argentina ones were fabulous!

Bon voyage!

~Betsy
kathi_mdgd
18 years ago
Jodi,
Have a safe trip,a wonderful time.Can't wait to see your next round of pictures.
Kathi
Jodi_SoCal
Original Author
18 years ago
Wow, Flamey, I was only kidding when I said I was going to go looking for the Deadliest Catch guys. Who knew there was an actual Deadliest Catched sightings web site! Cool.

Jodi-
heatherinohio
18 years ago
WOW! Your trip sounds AMAZING! I hope you have a wonderful time. I am looking forward to seeing your pictures. :)
Kathsgrdn
18 years ago
Have a great time, I know you will! Can't wait to see the pics.
gardenspice
18 years ago
Bon Voyage!
It sounds very exciting.
GardenSpice
liz
18 years ago
You are gonna have a blast and I can't wait to see your pictures!!
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
18 years ago
Have a safe and happy trip!
Gayle
donna_oh
18 years ago
Geez, what a fantastic trip!

Have fun, Donna (^_^)

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Little Luxuries: Get Ready for Your Close-up With Lighted Mirrors

By Sheridan Interiors, Kitchens and Baths

Get a better view applying makeup, shaving or dressing, with mirrors that put light right where you need it

FURNITURE Must-Know Furniture: Get Close With a Tête-à-Tête

By Karen Egly-Thompson

This classic French seat solves furniture configuration dilemmas — and is perfect for conversation

ART Show News: Rare Quilts Get Museum Time

By Vanessa Brunner

See 6 intricate designs from a California exhibition and get tips for building your own quilt collection

ARCHITECTURE Get a Perfectly Built Home the First Time Around

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Yes, you can have a new build you’ll love right off the bat. Consider learning about yourself a bonus

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Time to Get Your 'Doctor Who' Tardis Blue On

The time machine may be fictional, but you can show your fandom for real with Tardis-theme home accessories

SHOWERS Get Steamy in the Shower for Spa Time at Home

By By Any Design Ltd.

Learn the components of a steam shower to plan a safe and sturdy installation and a soothing bath experience

TRANSITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Family Time Gets Top Billing in Suburban Chicago

By Bryan Anthony

A home dedicated to bringing a family closer together combines comfort and style

LIFE Fun Family Activities as Close as Your Backyard

By Natasha Saroca

Shake up your daily routine with these creative ideas for spending time together

KITCHEN DESIGN Open vs. Closed Kitchens — Which Style Works Best for You?

By Vanessa Brunner

Get the kitchen layout that's right for you with this advice from 3 experts

KITCHEN DESIGN Have Your Open Kitchen and Close It Off Too

By Jennifer Ott Design

Get the best of both worlds with a kitchen that can hide or be in plain sight, thanks to doors, curtains and savvy design

Sponsored

Hope Restoration & General Contracting

35 Reviews

Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

More Discussions

Let's start a chain reaction game -- Part 5

136

Is it my imagination or is Black Friday growing?

22

11/11 Survivor tonight

7

I'll show you mine/ysmy - Th 11/12/26

16

Thursday's Daily Quiz

2