I started my trip by staying up the entire night before my 7:30am flight. This is a system I like to engage in called “abusing my body’s internal clock so that it forgets what Jet Lag means”. After a long night, I kissed Adrianna goodbye, made my way to the Metro, and practically the next thing I remember, I’m in San Francisco. Seriously, the flight from Portland to SF is spotty at best- I think I remember landing but definitely not taking off.

Once in San Fran, my missions were to get my next boarding ticket (went smoothly) and convert some real moeny into Yen. This did not go as smoothly. First, let me just say that I know that converting money at the airport is idiotic. I once spent 50 dollars on nachos and 2 Margaritas at the airport- I know that it’s the most expensive option. However, I didn’t know that I was going to be screwed QUITE as hard as I got screwed. So, after thinking about it for a while, and talking to my bank about using my card in Japan, I decided to undo the transaction and use ATMs once I got overseas.

The currency exchange people, having just screwed me out of a lot of money, did not like this. We then proceeded to go through a too-complicated exchange where they informed me that there were no refunds, I informed them that the purchase had a “return guarantee”, they informed me that this is possible but comes at a very different exchange rate, conveniently one that lets them keep the entire amount of money they made off of me, I noted that this doesn’t constitute a “return” so much as a completely separate transaction, and they tell me that’s the available deal. I say that I’ll think about it, and while I’m thinking I decide to tell them I’m going to file an FTC complaint and see if that broadens their minds.

Fortunately it didn’t come to that. The guy I was actually speaking to in person had called his supervisor again and secured a return. I’d give him a shout out, but he also told me to not use his company if I don’t want to lose an arm and a leg, so I think I’ll keep his identity a secret :D Quality guy.

After this little adventure, and a small wait, I was walking down the plane- past super high-tech chairs, high-tech chairs, roomy chairs, and finally to my section, the cattle car. I was on my way to Japan!

11 hours later: