Welcome to Japan

Greetings,

I've got nothing to do right now so I might as well get started on the blog. This might be a very short blog because I'm a hair's breadth away from having to go home. I made a small but costly mistake when I was preparing for my trip, I forgot to find out the PIN number for my credit card (I've never needed it before). Without the PIN I can't withdraw cash. I can still pay for some things, but not things like train fares and food, so if I can't get cash, the trip can't go on. I spent today on the net and figured out that I could do an international funds transfer via Western Union, and pick it up in Tokyo (it took me 2 1/2 hours to figure out where the bloody bank was, but that's another story).

So I tried to do the transfer, and things looked rosy until the final step when it asked me for a security number which I haven't been issued and shouldn't need (major screw up by my bank, the State Government Employees Credit Union). When I couldn't provide the number, not only did the transfer get cancelled by my card got locked. Fuck. So for tonight I have no credit card and about $40 in cash.

I should get the credit card working tomorrow. And I'll figure out some way of getting the PIN or something. If that fails I can always prostitute myself, I noticed a few truck stops in the area so that shouldn't be difficult. One way or another I'll be busy tomorrow.

I did a bit of "sightseeing" in Narita yesterday. Actually I was trekking through the town looking for an electronics store where I could get an adapter for my laptop (yes, I forgot to take that too). But I still got to see the town and it's a really cool place, lots of narrow winding roads with little shops and hole-in-the-wall clubs. I got some photos of some fairly funny signs which I will put up when I get the chance.

So in conclusion I am getting the adventure holiday I wanted and then some. Let's hope I can draw it out a little longer.

Peace, love, and mung beans,

James