Patience is a virtue

Let me just say to anyone looking to do this program, if you're an impatient person this may not be the program for you. Don't get me wrong it is an incredible opportunity to see another world but you need nerves of steel going through this process. After you get over the three months waiting to find out about the interview, and the three to four month wait to find out acceptance or rejection is (if your coming from the Caribbean) the long long journey to Japan. I have to tell you this process will seriously test you, even the most genki new JET would get pretty peeved with the craziness that comes with airport process .

Let the journey begin

OK, bags are packed, instructions are my tortoise left, family and friends kissed and hugged then kissed and hugged again and a third time for good measure now LET'S DO THIS!!! Travel itinerary is Trinidad from July 27th to 29th, and overnight stay in Miami on the 29th, Dallas on the 30th and TOKYO on the 31st. I'm looking forward to soaking in everything but being hyperactive I'm dreading being in an confined space for the long haul flight from Dallas to Tokyo, I might need to be sedated. Whatever, BRING IT ON!!! IKIMASHO!!!!

Things I'll miss

As my time winds down I find myself clinging to my culture. It still amazes me how much I find myself doing things, going places and eating things I hardly used to pay attention to before. I guess as time goes by I've started to realise how much I will be leaving behind. I mean even the little things like the smell of the sea or local biscuit factory nearby baking all sort of goodies makes me pause and take it all it. Normally I'm always on the go not having time to waste with things I see everyday anyway but now every smell, every taste, every glimpse of things takes me back to my childhood or a fond moment in time and it's amazing and very sad at the same time.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 13 DAYS!

Before taking this journey through Japan and beyond with me, here's a bit about me. Hi my name's Carlene, I'm 24 and I'm from the beautiful island of Barbados. Many people not familiar with my country always ask what part of Jamaica or Africa is that. No, no, no, my country is located in the beautiful tropical Caribbean and it's the easternmost island in the island chain.