Packing Day

Well tomorrow morning we are off. It seems there is always more to do. Right now the dining table is receiving a stack of things that must go in the carry on. If it can't go in the carry on it will be packed away. What suitcase to take? What should I take for moving around on tour while I'm there? How much money will we need? And there are so many more questions that I don't even know that will need to be answered before tomorrow morning.

I have checked with the airlines and they will check our bags all the way through to Beijing for us. That's a relief. We won't have to hassle will bags in Seattle. Right now Bonnie is out running last minute errands. Picking up a few things that we still need to take with us and probably some things we don't. At least these are big cities we are going to and we will be able to buy anything that is necessary if we forget it.

Have already talked with one fellow traveler today and will call the rest to make sure all is well and that the schedule is solidified. 4:30 AM to the airport, that is very early. But we do whatever it takes. The excitement is starting to build and while I sometimes dread the preparations I am excited about the trip. All will be well. We will have a fantastic time. We will all come home safely. What more could any of us ask?

More tomorrow with a pic of the travelers tomorrow morning.

10 Days to Departure

Seems there is never enough time to get everything done. The visas came back from the Chinese counsel yesterday. All seems to be in order. So at least paper work wise we are ready to go. Will stop by the AT&T store on the way home to check on cell phone use in China. It's something I don't anticipate needing to do but should know about it anyway. Check on how to turn things off that I don't want to use because of cost or because it won't work. Will stop by the credit union to check on ATM usage in China. I had difficulties in Egypt and couldn't use it there so will try to find out what is wrong if anything. Need to call the credit card companies to let them know we may be using the card(s) in Japan and China until the 17th of March. It's not nice to have a card refused because it doesn't fit the use pattern.

Have a meeting tomorrow to finalize all of the arrangements with the travelers. Set times to be at the airport, get frequent flier numbers, make sure about meds, list what to take, get emergency medical permissions from the parents and set everything in play for the 8th of March.

Will need to call Alaska Airlines and see if they will transfer the bags to United for the flight to Japan and China. Hopefully they will or we will carry them on and check them in Seattle. Need to call tonight so I can let everyone know tomorrow. As we all know something will be forgotten. All we can hope for is that what we forget is not important and we will be able to buy it in China if it is. I'm sure we will be able to buy whatever we need in China and many things we really don't need.

The Yearbook folks at Bartlett want pictures for this year's book. Will have to get them in by the 16th to make the last deadline. Hope we have good internet connections so the email works well. Will be taking a computer along to update this blog and to keep in-touch via email with everyone back in Alaska.

Looking forward to the trip and hopefully a little relaxation along the way. More later.