Saturday, October 04, 2003

Sunday, October 5 Getting from Narita to Tsukuba was surprisingly easy.  There is a direct bus from the airport to Tsukuba center, for 2300 yen about $23.  I could have used my rail pass to take a bus then, a rail transfer, for free but on my first day I think I might have become lost.  Now that I'm a little more confident, I'll use my pass to get back to Narita on my way home. Money conversion at the going exchange rate (100yen to the dollar) is simple, just move the decimal place over two places.  Prices are really quite reasonable, my hotel in Tokyo runs $100 per night, and my place in Tsukuba which is quite nice is about $110 per night.  I like going to the train station vendors for food and rarely pay more than $6-$8 for a meal.  Though I did spend $30 when we went out with some of the conference delegates for a nice restaraunt meal.  I am actually here to attend a technical workshop sponsored by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) http://www.gbif.org .  GBIF is a multinational organization of scientists and information professionals working toward the creation of a biodiversity information exchange framework to allow data access and analysis with the intent of effecting conservation policy.  The workshop will provide the tools and a review of the interchange standards and protocols used by participant groups.  Tsukuba is a University town and science center.  We are meeting at the International Congress Center, a spacious and modern conference center in the middle of town next to the big department stores and restaraunts.   Bicycles parked at Tsukuba Center, most are unlocked. Bus attendant at International Congress Center Tsuchiura Gakuen Ave from overpass leading to Central Park.   Entryway to Tsukuba Conference Center. Interior of Conference Center, GB7 workshop and training that I am attending is on the second floor. View from Conference Center. Outside of the conference center on a walk after lunch.  View from the second floor balcony of the conference center. 8:15:16 PM    comment []

Saturday, October 4 The flight from Honolulu to Japan was great, just a little longer than a West Coast to Hawaii flight.  The flight seemed shorter because of the great in-flight entertainment, each seat has its own LCD flat panel display and your choice of 10 video channels and 15 audio channels.  I watched two different movies, caught up on news with CNN and listen to some Japanese pop tunes.  Before I knew it we were landing in Narita.  Crossing the dateline does some strange things to your time, lost a whole day (which I hope to get back on the return trip) and found myself having to adjust my watch by 19hours.  Can't quite figure out what time it is Hawaii, much less the East Coast, I just call and see if the voice on the other end sounds sleepy.  I think that if it is 12noon here in Japan, it is 5pm the previous day in Hawaii, and people are picking up the phone, so I guess I'm not too far off.  United Flight 827, Honolulu to Narita Exit from customs to baggage claim. Narita Terminal. 7:18:10 PM    comment []