Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The End . . . ?

Hello again.
Well, you've had the opportunity to follow and keep up with me in South Korea. In this blog, I've documented most of what happened to me during the space of 2 years and 6 months (including the 4-month interlude I had between the 2 years of teaching).


Now what?


I'm not in South Korea anymore. I'm not planning on returning--at least if I do, it will take more than 4 months.


This blog was to document my time in South Korea. It seems a bit pointless if I keep it up after leaving, since I'm not in South Korea anymore. 


This is what I think, but I really want to know what you think.
I gave you this opportunity after my 1st year in Korea. Now I'm giving it again.

What do you think? Will you be sad?

Do you want me to continue? 

Do you care?

I need to hear your voice in the comments below. Please take the time to write to me and let me know what you think. I look forward to reading from you.

My Odyssey back to the States (11.-13. March)

Okay. It's time that I share my journey back to the States. This was my worst and longest journey involving airplanes. Well, this had to come at some point. Didn't want this to happen at this particular time, but GOD was with me through it all. It also helped me see a few (from tons) of my own personal character flaws. Either way, get ready, 'cause the bumpy road is about to begin . . . 

It all started on March 11 around 20:30 @ Cheonglyangli (spell?) station. I took a taxi there with all my luggage. I wanted to take the airport bus that departed from this station to Incheon International Airport. I learned quickly that one must have the exact change (10,000 Won) ready to board the bus. I came in time for the 20:45 bus, but because I didn't have the exact change, the driver refused to take me. This bus even left a few minutes early, which irked me. Something you should know is that these buses leave every 15 minutes and the 21:00 bus was the last bus until 4:00 the following morning. 
GOD was good in helping me get on the 21:00 (the last bus) with time to spare. I had to run in the station--with my 3 pieces of carry-on--to break my 50,000 won note and run back to pay the driver. I'm so grateful of being permitted to leave my check-in bags in the bus--I'm not leaving all my stuff on the street unattended! This may be Korea (where everyone is considerate and no one steals), but I trust no one, especially when I'm alone. 
I got to Incheon International Airport around 22:30+. I wanted to take a nap in the bus, but I also wanted to see Seoul at night, for the last time. I should've slept . . .

At the airport, I got a trolley and walked around a bit. The airport was empty and I wanted to soak it in. I found a nice spot with chargeable plugs (both Korean & American) to charge my American cell phone and my computer as I took delightful advantage of the free WiFi. 


The "charge" station one can use for free. 



A closer look at the plugs.



Just look at how empty this is!



I'm not sure, but I believe these people were busy filming here. I was a bit too tired to get closer.



Oh, so Incheon International Airport has won the World's Best Airport award for 8 consecutive years. That truly is a great feat.



I believe this is the proof, available for all to see.


I kinda wanted to stay up all night. Didn't work. I ended up sleeping for about 2-3+ hours on a hard row of seats.

(Just to clarify, my flight left @ 8:55 the next morning. I could've stayed with my friend (an SDALI teacher in Seoul) that night and then make the trip over, but then I would've had to get up and leave around 4:30 or so. I didn't want to wake her up, especially since she had to teach the next day.)

So yeah, I spent the night in the airport. Next morning (not rested), I checked-in, went through security, and decided to avoid waiting over an hour at the gate and walk all over the gated area until it was my time to leave. I even splurged a bit on electronics and books.
(I thought this would be my last time in Korea and I wanted to get something with the 100,000+ Won I still had left. I got plenty of American dollars when I closed my Korean bank account).


I had to capture this bathroom.
Who came up with this design? I'm in love with the creativity!



We women are incredibly vain.



Oh, a cultural experience center before leaving the country--it's never too late!



It's great to be a foreigner.



Oh, and try on traditional costumes too!
Too bad it opened after I left the country.


Welcome to China Eastern Airlines

The view of the seat in front. I like how there's a separate holder for the cup without pulling down the entire tray.



No Korean.
Only Chinese (don't know if Mandarin or Cantonese, or if it's another)


That's the end of my time on Korean soil, now off to my connection in Shanghai, China.

At Shanghai, things got interesting. First, I had to go through a maze to get to security and then to the gate for my flight to NYC. This long and unnecessary maze (in my tired eyes) led to a place where everyone had to go through one of two lines of security. There were (at least) 2 flights of people waiting in a very narrow line through a dark corridor to get through said security. I get there and they took my barely 3 oz./100 ml hand-sanitizer and emptied out my water bottle. Apparently, no liquids are allowed on carry-on at all.
I had no idea.
Praise GOD I put all my other liquids in check-in.

I leave security and look for my gate in an unhappy mood. I get there and I wait for a bit. At least the restroom was clean and very presentable. I wasn't in the mood to check out anything there. I've never really wanted to go to China. Ever. With this experience, I was even more anxious to leave (true, it's not so dramatic, but I wasn't ready for it). 



My gate was 24, I believe.
The architecture was kinda nice, actually. I like the use of sunlight.



A closer look at the ceiling.


 We boarded the plane late. The staff didn't seem to care that much. I could barely understand their English. Maybe I didn't have enough sleep or the right state of mind to understand. 

Don't know if you can see it, but in addition to the tray table and cup holder, there's also an electric plug behind each seat if you need to use or charge anything. This is probably one of the most positive things I've seen/experienced on this flight.


Now, on the plane . . . oh boy . . . I was reminded that this airline belonged to a communist country.
You know how in most big, international planes each seat has it's own monitor and one can choose what he wants to watch? Well in this it was 1 screen per 3 or 4 rows. They all showed the same thing. The choice was in watching it or not. Not that this was the most important factor, I just like having more options than "to watch or not to watch". Call me spoiled. I had books with me, but I was too light-headed/too much of an insomniac to read (plus the reading lights were too dim, even when the plane was dark). There were about 2 Korean films, at least 1 Western (from the Americas, not cowboys and Native Americans), and the rest must've been Chinese. That wasn't bad at all, but what irked me the most . . . .
The worst part of the flight were the people! I wonder if this was their first time to travel by plane. If it was, then it explained a lot. 
I had an aisle seat in the center row and there was a lady seating beside me who wanted to go to an empty seat as the plane was about to take off--literally! The plane was gaining speed and she asked me to let her pass. I was like, lady! The plane is taking off right now! She said ok, she'll wait. She didn't wait very long either. 
The girl sitting in front of me reclined her seat and kept it that way until the plane was about to land (oh, and said girl was American. Did I mention this flight was about 13-15 hours?). 
There were several Chinese who were talking with each other loudly (and almost in my ear) for most of the flight. I must've been really fortunate to sleep the 2-3 hrs. I was able to get. The lady who was right beside me was constantly wanting to get out and move (in and out, in and out, etc.) all during the flight. She and her husband took turns sleeping on the 2 center seats, sprawled out, and even taking my pillow for extra comfort. There wasn't much I could do with limited leg room, a seat reclined in my space, and this strange lady almost half on my lap. They never even showed on the screen the map/GPS or the time or where we were or anything like that. I really wanted to know, but that wasn't available to us. Again, all this served to remind me that China Eastern belongs to a communist country.

Needless to say, I was overjoyed to leave the airplane at JFK in New York City. My flight arrived an hour late, but I was on American soil. 
I had to check-in again because the flight from Incheon to Shanghai to JFK was separate from the one from JFK to Florida.
I was going to meet friends, but they couldn't come and see me. Timing was against us.
It was a good thing they didn't come. 

My flight to Florida from JFK (for 19:15) was cancelled. It was raining quite heavily there in NYC, although the sky was starting to clear up. Drowsy and unable to understand my surrounding completely, I went to the counter to see what they could do to help me. They put me on a flight to Florida @ 22:45--from LaGuardia airport (also in NYC, but I had to get there by a shuttle bus). Fortunately, they gave me a voucher for the shuttle van to said airport, and 2 food vouchers for any food or drink in the other airport. I was happy with that. You can bet that I used them too.
All this time, I was informing my dad about all the recent updates. 




One really cool thing about LaGuardia is all of these tablet stations, like the one pictured above and below.
I guess laptops are becoming "old"?



Just look at all of these! You can even order food from the cafe or other stuff from a newspaper store from the tablets! There's no time limit and the internet is pretty good (a little slow, but still pretty good). Is this cool or what?!


So, my flight to Florida is ready. The clerk took a long time to get me a seat, but she got me one (her computer had issues). That was the best flight of the entire trip. Everyone was quite and considerate. I had both window- and aisle-seat all to myself. I happily slept for most of the 2 hr. 30 min. flight.

I arrived at Jacksonville International Airport at 1:15 am, March 13 local time (Korean time = 14:15 of the same day). Amazingly, 1 of my check-in bags arrived from JFK. The other was delivered straight to my door that evening. Dad picked me up. From meeting at baggage claim, we started catching up as we went home. We got home and talked a little more, but then he had to get up @ 6 am to pick up/drop a load in Orlando (2 hr. drive away). It was after 3 am when he went to bed. I had a 2nd wind, so I unpacked what I had. After I finished, I took a blissfully long and hot shower. Funny enough, around the time he got up, that's when I went to bed. 

That was my odyssey back to my parent's home. In a space of about 40 (+/-) hours that I spent in either an airport or an airplane, I slept 8> hours.

It is March 25 as I write this post and I can say that I'm now totally recovered from jet-lag.

Are you exhausted yet?



Last days in Seoul--again (7.-12. March)

Hi everyone. Many apologies for my absence. I've returned to the States and needed a lot of time to recover from my trip and jet-lag. I'll talk about that later. Now I want to talk about my last days in Seoul.
I stayed with a friend of mine near Hoegi Station. I spent my days with friends and former students, as many as possible before I left Korea for good. I didn't take many pictures. I'll share a few of what I did take.


I met one friend and her family at Seoul Forrest. 



We had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant. This lamp above our heads caught my attention.



I loved the effect from these reflections.



Deer!
(I love deer)



I think the one on the left wants to get out, or is curious, is hungry, or has a bad habit.



This must be the king.



Whoa, check out those horns.



The park with fog/smog blurring the apartments in the distance.



My friend's husband with the stroller, walking by the deer park.



From a botanical museum in Seoul Forrest.



Hello there.



Leafing through a book in a cafe.



Wonderful family (minus 1 member. She was in day-care).



Another day, this was the closest I've ever been to Seoul Tower.
Oh well.



At an Indian/Nepalese restaurant (called Mt. Everest).
Go to the last page of the menu, and you receive this educational treasure.



Last trip back to Cheonan. I needed to meet a former colleague to say good-bye, as well as to cancel my cell phone.
This is a new shopping area in Asan, by the Cheonan-Asan KTX Station. I missed the chance to explore it while I was in Cheonan. Who knew I'd have my chance on this day?




In the subway.
My last ride on the subway in Korea.



Here's the English version of the Korean letters in the previous picture.
I had plenty of time, so I took the 2.5 - 3 hr. subway ride back to Seoul. Even had a short nap too.

Just a short dinner and cafe get-together, then it's off to return to the States . . .

. . . what an odyssey awaited me . . .

Friday, March 8, 2013

Last Days in Cheonan--again (2.-6.March)

Hi. I'm already in Seoul. Just a few more days and I'll be gone.
Before I came to Seoul, I spent a few days in Cheonan. Basically, I have a "Farewell Tour;" half in Cheonan, the other half in Seoul. Let me share a little bit about my tour in Cheonan:


First, 1 student and I went out for lunch. It's a typical Korean style restaurant in which everyone sits on the floor and the food is set on a short table. One always takes their shoes off, step up to the eating area, and usually sit on a mat or two. But this place had something I've never seen before:
These are legless chairs!
I'm so glad 'cause I need some kind of back support.


After lunch, we went to visit a classmate of hers--who just had her 2nd child over 3 months ago.

Aren't they precious?


That night, I got together with a few other students and friends for dinner.

These two appear to be in a serious conversation.


These two are catching up.


After a few hours, here we are in front of the apartment I was staying in.
Just like in the end of Dec. last year . . . 


Another day, just randomly walking around, I find this building: 
I saw the golden arches and thought, "oh, another McDonald's."
Ugh, wait. No.
If you can read the Korean, it says something like: "McJunald's." Mekju is another kind of Korean alcoholic beverage.
Basically, this is a bar. Go figure.


Ah yes. On Monday, two of my former students invited another teacher and I to lunch. This place was awesome! I could tell there was no way I could ever afford a place like this on my salary.


Here we are, plus a souvenir given to my friend and I.


I even had the chance to pay a short overnight visit to a friend of mine in Daejeon. I haven't seen her all year long--actually, longer. I was really sorry to leave the next day, but time was short. She even teased me of taking me to a really nice place, but then leaving 'cause there really wasn't enough time to explore it. I can see what she's trying to do: trying to get me back to Daejeon (at least Korea) . . .
(apologies for no pictures. I didn't take any during that time. I was too busy living to stop to take pictures)


The day I left, I met one more student. She took me out for breakfast and lunch. We were able to catch up and share a few more good moments. For lunch, she took me to a Korean restaurant. Check-out the picture below: 
The black bowl and the metallic bowls (for rice) were the main dishes. All the others are side dishes. Do you know how much this is per person? Can you believe it? Only 6,000 Won (about $5 or 3 Euros). All these side dishes are free. This is why Koreans eat (Korean food) out a lot; they're pretty cheap.
I'm really going to miss this.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Surprise on D-Day (from Jeju--1. March)

I got an unexpected surprise at the airport after I posted the last entry: I saw about 4 SDA students at the airport (and 2 were mine from the term that just ended)!!!
I'm glad to say we were all pleasantly surprised (or so I'd like to think). The first student was at the check-in counter for the airline I was going to leave with. She wasn't my student, but she remembered me. When I checked in all my bags, I had to pay for over-weight luggage, but thanks to that clerk/former SDA student, I was given a discount. 
The second student was from the term that just finished as well. She and her friend were going to fly out together. Of course, her friend was my student in the term that just finished as well (student #3). The fourth student was from the friend (student #3)'s class--although he only attended 2 days. But there's a good reason for that: his job--and his recent promotion.
I don't think I pointed out that he works in the airport.
Because he is so nice and generous, he invited all 3 of us into the KAL Lounge (reserved for business and 1st class fliers). We didn't want to hurt his feelings or be rude, so we agreed to accept his invitation. ^.~
He showed us around a bit (it was very small, so it wasn't required) and stayed with us for a couple of minutes, then he had to leave.
Us 3 girls started to explore this new area that was closed-off to us before. Naturally, my camera wasn't too far off. Here is what I saw . . .



The main seating area.
Snack bar is in the background.



More of the seating area, with info screens and neatly arrayed magazines in the background.



Us 3 girls.



How can people make water fancier and more desired?



Endless array of tea and coffee



You can see every single napkin. Not one is hiding.



Snack bar
The sign says: "Self Service"
I didn't say a sign that had anything like: "Pay Here," hence they must all be free.
I will serve myself, thank you very much.



The excellence isn't just in flight.



My life on a trolley.
Apparently this is where one stores their luggage while they enjoy the lounge.



The reception desk when you walk through the glass doors of the lounge entrance.



When's your flight?


Alright, now I leave to check-in my bags and then feel free to use the bathroom while carrying only a few things. Then I see this faucet. I didn't know how it worked until a lady standing nearby showed me.

How cool is that?!

Well, those were all the surprises for Friday, March 1st.

My journey that day was quite tiring. I used most modes of transportation too.
Jeju to Seoul: airplane
Gimpo airport to friend's house: taxi
friend's house to subway station: on foot
Hoegi Station to Yongsan Station: subway
Yongsan to Cheonan: KTX train
KTX train station to apartment: taxi

tired? I was.