This post will include all the activities I did while I was in Maryland, outside of visiting NY and Washington, DC. One thing I did do was drive up to Pittsburgh to visit a friend and her family. I knew her from my Elementary school days. I did drive out 2 years ago, but decided that I should go again this year. As I am driving, I am always amazed at the different views and the space. I took I-68 which runs along the northern part of Maryland, into West Virginia and then Pennsylvania.
 |
Interstate 68
|
 |
Cumberland, Maryland
|
 |
Sunset at Moon Township, Pennsylvania
|
When you take I-68, you end up going through West Virginia, actually going past Morgantown. As I was driving, I saw that there was a Tim Hortons! Since I didn't travel to Canada this summer, I decided to stop by on my way back to Maryland for a coffee and a donut.
It was a good, but short visit to Pittsburgh. It is always good to reconnect with people.
The church that I am a member of, Silver Spring Christian Reformed Church, began a great Food Pantry program a few years ago and in the last year and a half, it has grown exponentially. Since I was there are almost 4 weeks, I was able to volunteer with the food distribution one week. It is an amazing process, well executed with a lot of behind the scenes organization in order to help provide for their neighbours.
 |
Bags ready to be put into the vehicles.
|
 |
There is also a walk up location on the right, and cars coming in, arranged into 2 rows.
|
Traveling back to Japan was a bit of an adventure. I thought I had everything figured out, but alas, I miscalculated the 72 hours before my departure, starting my trip back to Japan. I had to get a negative COViD test within 72 hours of departure. I unfortunately, used the wrong departure. I used my departure from Dulles, Virginia and not my LA departure to Tokyo. If you are flying to Japan, make sure your COVID test is done within 72 hours of departure on the airplane that will take you to Japan. When I arrived in LAX, I was unable to catch my original flight and had to go to a COVID testing site there, get the results, which took about 4.5 hours, and then I could catch a flight to Tokyo. I ended up leaving LAX about 12 hour later than I anticipated.
 |
Waiting for my flight to Tokyo in LAX.
|
I was relieved to be on the plane heading back to Japan. However, entering Japan was still a task. I was given about 4 or 5 documents that I had to complete, along with a questionnaire that was completed before I departed from Dulles. This did not include the usual immigration and customs documents you typically fill in when you arrive. Once leaving the plane, you go through multiple rooms, where they ask questions about where you were in the US, check your negative COVID test result, take another COVID test, download apps for tracking, check and recheck your forms and make sure they are accurate.
 |
Here I am waiting for the last step in the COVID process at Haneda airport.
|
 |
Once your number is called, you pick up your result. Fortunately I had another negative COVID test.
|
This whole process takes about 2 hours after you arrive. After getting the test result, you move on to immigration, collect your luggage, and then on to customs. Once you can leave the airport, you are unable to take public transport. They actually ask you multiple times during the COVID process at the airport, if you have made arrangements to get home from the airport that is not public transport. Fortunately, I had a private taxi waiting and they took me to my house.
I am currently about mid-way through my quarantine time. Each day the Health Monitoring Center for Overseas Entrants, contacts me about three times a day. One time I get an Artificial Intelligence phone call, and you have to put your phone so your face is in the oval for 30 seconds while they record and note my surroundings. Another time they send a notification asking you to hit the "I'm here." button. A possible third contact is asking you to report your health condition. I believe all these contacts record your location. You are required to have the Allow Location setting on during quarantine.
 |
The MySOS app they require you to download.
|
 |
Daily reminder of what you should do.
|
As you may have noticed, I am able to go out if necessary. I did ask about getting groceries and that is allowed, but you do have to wear a mask and wash your hands.
Fortunately, the Olympics are going on right now, so they keep me entertained. What is especially nice, is the events are all happening in the same time zone! :)
There were a number of folks on the plane from LAX to Haneda that were associated with the Olympics. It is all exciting, but also a bit nerve-wracking with the rise in positive COVID numbers and hospitals filling up with those who need extra help. The vaccine roll out is slow here in Japan.
Please pray that those associated with the Olympics and those living here in Japan, would be safe. It is exciting, but also sad that no spectators are able to see the events live.
I think it has been good to just sit and be at home. It has required me to slow down, do some reflecting. That is always good, because the new school year is just around the corner and life will speed up again.
Thank you to all of you who took time to sit and chat or share a meal together this summer. I am sad that I didn't go to Canada, but 4 weeks of quarantine is a bit much. Hopefully we'll visit Canada soon.
