Cases packed (almost)

I'm flying out tomorrow morning. I think I have nearly everything ready. I haven't quite packed my suitcase. Well, there's a lot in it, but it's not really in any order.

I took some advice to halve what I originally packed and removed a few things I didn't really need. Maybe a quarter-less rather than a half though.

I have to leave pretty early tomorrow to get to the airport so I will finalise my case tonight, I just don't see the point of doing it too early. I think if I did that I'd be more likely to forget something.

Cashed up

I went to the bank today to get some American money. The guy there gave me a quote but suggested I try the money exchange booth across the road near the Opal shop. I went over and the lady gave me a higher quote (a lower exchange rate) and I said ok but no.

Turns out you can haggle! She knocked $4 off (half the commission) and I saved a couple of dollars on the bank's offer.

It was nice of the bank (Which bank?) to send me somewhere I could save money. That's good customer service.

The money feels a bit flimsy, being paper and all, and it doesn't have that green look I was expecting. I realise that my expectations of American money were based on the look of it on The Simpsons.

Bits and pieces

Today I dealt with three outstanding things that needed doing before I leave (less than a week away).

Firstly I got my insurance materials from Flight Centre. The guy that booked my flights was on leave so I'm glad I chased it up because I wasn't going to be hearing from him. All my tickets are e-tickets so I don't need to collect anything else from them.

Secondly, my mobile phone won't work in the US. It's not a tri-band phone, or something like that. But Ursula, Drew and Natalie have all suggested I just get a international phone card - which are really cheap - while I'm over there.

This does mean one less thing I have to worry about carrying around with me. I wouldn't be using it much anyway other than calling home. The only catch is I was thinking of using it to carry some mp3s around with me. I wonder do I take my mp3 player now or just rely on the natural sounds of the US?

And thirdly, I've suspended my gym membership since I'm going to be out of the country for most of the month I don't see the need to pay for it. Unlike those other months where I don't use it but am in the country!