Leaving soon…and freaking out!

[bunnyfriend]

Some of you may know that I’m leaving for Japan on Saturday morning (4:30 a.m.) for three weeks. This is my first time traveling out of the country since I was a little kid when I went to Norway with my mom and sister. The last time I was away from my home and family this long was for a month while I was at a summer camp in Maine in 8th grade. I’m stressing out a little…actually a lot! I keep having dreams that’s it’s an hour before I have to leave for the airport and I’m not packed and I can only move slowly. I’m devoting today to pack as much as I possibly can (I have a history final tomorrow morning), but I still have to get some gifts for my home stay family and I have no idea what to bring them! I have to buy a present for each member of the family and then a present for the entire family, I already know I’m buying chocolates for the family present and some fun candy for the 10 year old little sister. I still have the mom, dad, and host sister (she’s 16) left to get presents for. If anyone has any ideas or tips about traveling or personal experiences I’d be so grateful to hear them!!!

I’m going to miss my family, rabbits, and horse so much! I already teared up saying goodbye to Strauss this morning. 

[Sarita]

I’m jealous that you get to stay 3 weeks in Japan! It’s been oh, about 5 or 6 years since I’ve traveled out of the country. I imagine you will be excited on the plane ride, but try to get some sleep if you can – not always easy when you are excited on a long flight. Sleeping seems easier on the way home :~)

Bring the chocolates on the plane though – they may melt or get too cold in the cargo storage. Fun candy should be fine as long as it’s not chocolate. How about some fun nail polish for the 16 year old (if you think she’s into that stuff) by an American brand like OPI. Fun fingernail polish seems to be the rage these days.

Not sure if you were asking about the gifts though, but that sounds like a hard thing to have to buy especially for the parents…

You are going to have such a blast – cannot wait to hear all about it when you get back.

[bunnyfriend]

Thanks Sarita! I didn’t even think about that it might be too cold or hot for the chocolates. Actually this really helps a lot, after your suggestion I decided I’ll get the host sister some OPI nail polish (it’s my favorite anyways) and maybe a scarf or something from The Body Shop. I think I’ll get the parents both some nice stationary or cards or coffee. It’s the thought that counts I hope.

I’ll be sure to post pictures when I get back

[Stickerbunny]

Traveling isn’t that bad – just remember to get there at least an hour before your flight to get through security. And when you get to Japan, be sure to ask if there is anything about landing/security there you don’t understand, the flight attendants can help with most of it before landing. I needed help filling out my customs documents for the gifts I brought over for the family I was staying with in England. And security in England was way different than security in the U.S.   So Japan will probably be a bit different too!

For my family what I did was I knew the son, so I asked him what his mom would like – she was a big dragon buff so I brought over dragon figurines. For his sister, we went shopping together and I bought her a cute top she liked. For him, well, we were gaming buddies so I brought over all my video games. If you have any contact with the family, you could ask one of the kids what their parents may like.

[bunnyfriend]

Thanks for the advice Stickerbunny! I hope the customs people speak English haha

Unfortunately, I have had no contact with the host family yet.  In fact I didn’t even know who my host family was until a couple weeks ago!

[Stickerbunny]

They usually have people who are multilingual at the customs cause of language barriers, so you should be OK! The flight attendant on your flight can help you fill out the forms. Then it should just be a simple Q&A when you land.

Aww . Umm. Well, traditional gift to take to Japanese families seems to be a local gourmet food from your area. So chocolate or coffee seems like a good pick.

[Sarita]

Oh yes, the customs and passport control people always speak English – at least in my experience – but I’ve not been to Japan or anywhere in Asia – just Europe.

Not sure of security going to another country – coming back though they have to follow the TSA rules for the US.

I agree with Stickerbunny about local food for the host mom and dad. Love the chocolate idea. They be very gracious no matter what you bring though.

[bunnyfriend]

Good to know Alright I think I’ll go with those gifts then. I’m about 80% packed now (makes me feel a lot better), I just need to pack my carry on and get the gifts. I’m nervous about keeping track of my money and passport.

[mocha200]

Wow! Have a blast on your trip! They will enjoy anything you get them! Another thing you could get for the teen is fuzzy socks! I always give those to teens if I don’t know what to get them!

[Author]

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