Saturday, March 18, 2023
Over a year ago, Jane returned from the mail box with a brochure from the NC State Alumni Association touting a Japanese Immersion Cruise. She then suggested that we go on it! I was taken aback because she has always been wary of cruises especially during the COVID pandemic. So, I quickly and enthusiastically endorsed her suggestion before she changed her mind. Now, after many preparations, a lot of form filling-out, and committing a cruise-ship load of money, we will finally depart tomorrow for our long-anticipated adventure.
We’re excited to get going. Japan will be a new country for us and this cruise will be our first. We do have one concern. Although Japan has lifted all COVID-testing requirements and only requires proof of vaccination for entry into the country, we will be required to show a negative COVID test result within three days of embarking on the cruise ship. We’re scheduled to embark on Thursday afternoon (3/23) so the earliest we can test ourselves (time-stamped photos of self-tests are acceptable) will be Monday(3/21) afternoon. This will be after traversing through three airports and taking two flights, one of which will be 14.5 hours long. What could go wrong?
Well, it’s time eat a late supper, ensure we’re adequately prepped for departure, and head to bed early. Good evening.
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