Ahahah! Awesome you're going to Japan!! But you speak Japanese fairly well don't you? Yeah my bf informed me it was chinese and when I looked at it again I was like "duh." I guess i threw Japanese out there cuz there is this big Japanese looking cartoon thingy on the front, lol!
OMGPON1ES!!!!111!!1!1! LINDSAY IS IN MONGOLIA WTF!!!?!?! That is the coolest thing EVAR!!! It looks like you are adjusting to things well, you are doing awesome!
I'll be studying abroad this fall in Japan for a semester, and I understand!! Learning the basics of the language when you get the chance will help (just yes, no, want, thank you, etc) but you'll pick it up in time.
I hope you have an awesome time, I'll keep reading your blog, its very well written and -fascinating-!
PS. Your washer/dryer has directions in Chinese, not Japanese. ;P
Oh! Well I'm glad I'm not alone! I felt very silly and now need to investigate my camera battery charger as well... luckily I haven't needed to plug it in yet. And NO I don't but now I'm very sad that I didn't take pictures of it! Ugh, well maybe there will be another :-)
Blowing up stuff on your travels Congratulations on the first blow-up. I blew up my camera battery recharger a few years ago so had to buy regular batteries. I learned that it took about 2 days on 4 regular AA batteries. Not good. Things like that make us seasoned travelers anyway. Do you have pictures of the damaged goods? :-)
HA! You think I'd dare drink in a country where I barely know where my own apartment is?! Uhh yeah no thanks. :-) At least my office has good internet and I feel confident that I am at least capable enough to do the projects they have proposed.
Patience... You're doing an awesome job of adapting to the circumstances in a country very different in so many different ways from ours. I know. I have been there. Just try to eat something soon and stay away from their booze in the meantime! :)
Goooooood luck!! You'll recover quite nicely in Mongolia... with all the stunning views, it will be good for your soul. Just keep an eye on the news in case China and Russia gets into an armed dispute before the Olympics in August. It's very likely that if this does happen at all, it will happen long after you are back. Most important thing is to have fun, study the women, and take a few memorable photos. I envy you!!! :)
Rent It IS that expensive in here. Especially for foreigners it will be really expensive. You need to get a local to rent apartment for you. But still that local needs to know the real estate situation very well to find you a good apartment. For example, most apartments will not rent for less than 3 months and will demand the payment upfront. Not sure how long you are staying but keep in mind. Also, besides that rent money, you'll need to pay the bills which are considerable. On the other hand, your coordinator is right about apartments being safe.
So, hotels - expensive, hostels - risky,dirty, apartments - lots of trouble but the most balanced choice. If you can find a decent guest house, it can be actually better than most choices for slightly more money.
I'm leaving April 5th!! I actually got away with spending very little on my prep items (lots of winter clearance stuff! yay!) so I will be going there with $3,000 in my pocket (well not literally).
My NGO will help me find an apartment to rent while I am there but I would like to arrange time spent in the countryside if possible. And damn it!! I WILL RIDE A CAMEL!
hey! Wow okay thats a lot of good information. Now I'm kicking myself for not asking you before I bought the ticket! I will call the airport to make sure my ticket is there and I have my electronic information printed and ready to go. I will actually be flying to Beijing and then non-stop to Ulaanbaatar. So only one stop though on the way back its a 6 hour layover!! Oy :-)
Haha... Your list is a partial one for sure! I would be taking my whole apartment... almost... if I were staying there that long. Just kidding but seriously, it is a great place... when a shrink tells you to imagine a happy place, my time in Mongolia comes to mind. Their fields are incredible... I'm jealous and can't believe you're leaving so soon... like a month or so? :)
Tips on Consolidator Fares... $1,300? Some snippets from some quick research I did:
1) "Consolidator fares are the only way to go for international tickets. Remember to deal only with a consolidator that takes credit cards. Also after you get a ticket (electonic or paper) call the airline and confirm your seats. If there is a problem call your credit card company to cancel.
Also keep in mind some consolidator fares do not earn frequent flyer miles. Ask in advance (if the miles are important for you). For example, Singapore airlines has two types of fares, one that earn FF miles and one that does not."
2) "I have traveled RT to China 15 times, agent who has very good connections with United will allow you to avoid the hassle of stopping at Narita. NorthWest has a new service direct to Guangzhou but I have never seen a decent price on those tickets. If you need to fly into China, do not fly from Hong Kong. Cross the border from Hong Kong to Shenzhen(bus) ,or Guangzhou (train), and fly from there. The prices are 1/3 of those from HKG. ***Buy your Chinese domestic tickets in China.*** Everything is a walk up price. No advance purchase required. You can't buy at the same low rates in the US. Ask right upfront for a discount on air tickets in China, whether from a travel agent or the airline. You can always get 20% off, sometimes up to 40%. You can not buy a ticket in the US for flights that do not originate in the US. Talk that one over with the airline and your travel agent."
3) Bestfares.com shows fares as low as $586... why don't you email me your destination cities, dates, and how flexible you are about them? I'll do it for fun even if your ticket is not refundable. It's not that big of a deal since it's scholarship monies covering it. :)
I am an Undergraduate student at The Evergreen State College. I am currently completing a year-long study of women\\\'s rights in Mongolia and will be traveling there Spring of 2008!... full info
LinzTrotter
Lindsay
Ahahah!
Awesome you're going to Japan!! But you speak Japanese fairly well don't you? Yeah my bf informed me it was chinese and when I looked at it again I was like "duh." I guess i threw Japanese out there cuz there is this big Japanese looking cartoon thingy on the front, lol!