Jeffrey Pratt

Travelling has a remarkable effect on me:

• I can live on less than four hours of sleep per day;
• I want to go out constantly and see/do different things;
• I’m more apt to take risks and try things that I wouldn’t ordinarily try;
• I’m not nearly as worried about making an ass of myself in public because my tourist/outsider status is well-established;
• I want to talk to people and interact with locals and meet strangers.

Meanwhile, when at home, I’m all-too-aware of my surroundings (having lived in Seattle for 31 of my 32 years) and less inclined to get out and take advantage of everything my hometown and the surrounding area has to offer.

Every time I travel, I always resolve to come home and live differently. I’m doing a pretty good job of it this time—I’m spending more time out hanging out with friends, but there is still much progress to be made.

I’m afraid of CRASHING. ‘nuff said!

My employer is sending me to Japan in July or August. I’ll be working for a week in Sapporo, but I don’t believe in spending that much time aboard an airplane without taking some vacation time. So I’ll probably try to spend two or three days in Tokyo. A friend who taught in Japan tells me that I’ll “have a good time” (with several winks) due to the fact that I’m abnormally tall and blonde.

Anyone with travel tips for a first-timer in Tokyo? Let me know!