emeritablog

Work? What’s That

In Japanese class yesterday we learned the verbs for work, rest, and study, which led to some group work which I found embarrassing: When did you get up yesterday? Did you work? From when to when? Did you study? From when till when? When did you go to bed? Even when I was in Gothenburg,Continue reading “Work? What’s That”

More Japanese Numbers

A memorable phrase, even though the answer needs much concentration: “denwa bango” is the Japanese for “telephone number”. We have also learned to tell the time: 5.55 pm is “gogo goji gojugofun” – time to go home and have some fun.

Flights booked

Having been advised by email from bootsnall that the best flight deals could go up to 200 days in advance, I have booked all my flights for a total cost of less than £2000. LHR-KEF-YHZ-BOS then overland to Seattle – SJC, SFO-ICN, Korea to Japan by boat, then NRT-HKG-HAN-REP-DEL-LHR. Only two seriously long legs, SanContinue reading “Flights booked”

Japanese Numbers

In the third week of the Japanese course, we practised telling each other the prices of various goods, ranging from 7350 yen for a pair of trousers to 53 yen for a pencil. Although the basic numbering system is fairly simple, I find it hard to concentrate on more than one digit at a time,Continue reading “Japanese Numbers”

Insured

As a first commitment to my round-the-world trip, I have taken out travel insurance with “Go Walkabout” – a good name for what I want to do, and a good price.

Base Camp

From now on, my journeys start from here: a two-roomed flat in Greenwich Millennium Village.

Why there? Why now?

When I was in my 40s, and working sporadically as a self-employed computer programmer, it seemed like a good idea to have a break and travel round the world when I reached 50. By the time I was 50, I was training for ordination, had just started a new (though shortlived) job, and was muchContinue reading “Why there? Why now?”