Thursday, October 23, 2008

Off on an Asian Tangent

For the next three weeks, this space will be devoted to GRACE--the Asian Edition.

It's not my intent to bore folks with a travelog and I will try to keep my focus on the financial aspects of foreign travel during a recession. I'm also thinking it will be interesting to watch the US election from foreign shores. (Yes, I already sent my ballot in.)

This trip is a dream for me, but the timing could have been a whole lot better.

Fortunately, I did save for it. Unfortunately, I may not have saved enough. We'll see.

My airfare was prepaid last March. My sister gave me a $500 prepaid VISA card for "fun stuff." I have $1600 of my own to cover lodging, train travel, food and expenses. I'll be gone 18 days, but lodging is covered by my travelling companion's relatives for six of those days. To the extent there is a cost for this, it's $180, my share of two Pendleton blankets we're bringing as gifts to the two families taking us in.

The most important thing, for me, is not to become obsessed with how much I'm either spending or not spending. That's my tendency, and it can ruin a vacation if I let it.

The Japanese Yen is very strong against the dollar. That's good for the Japanese, less so for Grace. I bought $800 worth of yen yesterday at a rate of 97 yen to the dollar. Two days ago, it was 107 yen to the dollar.

The Japanese know about recessions. They were in one for ten years and it destroyed the retirement plans of many individuals. So I don't begrudge them their current prosperity. In fact, I'm eager to see it.

Sayonara for now. Watch this space.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You might want to check the terms & conditions of that pre-paid Visa before you try to use it...mine doesn't allow foreign transaction, only domestic/dollar ones. I'd hate for you to get a nasty shock!

Krista said...

I can't wait to hear about your trip.

Have a great time!

Sharon said...

Grace!
Have a wonderful time! You deserve it! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Louise said...

Grace, please bore us with a travel log! I'm really looking forward to hearing about your trip, have a wonderful time and take lots of pics :)

Anonymous said...

Grace,
Life is short. Enjoy your trip. You've planned for it. Now relax and keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

Grace,

Have a wonderful trip and ENJOY it. And yes, do "bore" us with a travel log. Anxiously waiting for the updates.

A.M.B.A.

Fede said...

I am looking forward to your "boring" trip! Hope you have a blast..l can't wait to read about it as well as see some pics! Recession be damned..lol!

Shevy said...

I agree, tell us about the trip even if it's not all financial stuff. Especially if it's not all financial stuff. (grin)

And have a great time!

Bouncing Back said...

Oh have a great time! You deserve it! Just go and enjoy it all!

BB

Living Almost Large said...

Congratulations and have fun!