I initially was searching my brain for a way to ‘apologize’ for not being active on my blog. But as I thought through this, I realized I was overthinking the issue. I have taken a long break as I studied through numerous activities and subjects.
Since retiring (Feb 2022) from my government job as Aviation Safety Inspector, I have researched a number of possible opportunities. I have learned a lot, and have enjoyed the ‘journey’. I will continue!
With all that said, I would like to share with you my current adventure. I am in South Korea, which was originally intended for about 2 1/2 weeks. It has been extended, which I will explain in a separate post.
Thursday, July 18th
I arose around 6 a.m. as usual with many things on my mind, appointments to attend and last-minute items before travel. Around 5 p.m. I arrived at the airport in Columbia, SC for a 7:07 p.m. departure. On the way to the airport, I had been advised that my flight was going to be delayed. There was a line of weather passing over Atlanta and numerous flights were on ground hold. I did not want to miss my flight out of Atlanta for the long haul to Korea, but I also was not going to stress over it. Travel, with all possible surprises, should always be about a ‘journey’ and make the choice to accept new experiences and enjoy the ride!
My flight finally boarded and got airborne around 9:25. We landed in Atlanta and arrived at the gate by 10:40 and like several others with tight connections, I started out with a fast pace to the international gate F4. By the time I got to the gate, the farthest in this concourse, I saw the notice that there was a gate change! So I hustled back to F8, just in time to join the boarding in my assigned zone.
Airborne shortly after midnight, we started the 14-hour flight to Incheon, South Korea. By this time, I had already been awake over 18 hours. Once we had leveled off at the initial cruise altitude, we were served a meal, after which I decided it was time to sleep. I managed to sleep for about four and a half hours. During the rest of the flight, I watched a few movies and napped a bit but not sound sleep.
We arrived about 10 minutes early, and after deplaning, I headed for the entry point for foreigners, then to the baggage claim. With bag in hand, I left the arrival area and went directly to the KT telephone counter and rented a portable Wi-fi unit. With this I have wi-fi everywhere I go while in Korea. Next I went to the Global ATM to withdraw some local currency by accessing my bank account with my debit card.
I have had a travel card, called T-money card, for years but now had to upload more funds for local travel. I was able to add money at a convenience store in the airport. The ‘travel’ card is good for buses, taxi, and subway! It is very convenient.
Next, I go for a bus ticket to my hotel. However, my bus #6004 would not be running for another hour. Instead of waiting, I chose a different path. A few years ago, a new subway was installed, specifically for the airport. It was my first time using this subway line, so it was another learning experience. As it turned out, it is quite convenient. I downloaded a subway map to my phone so that I could plan my changes. As it turned out, I only had to make one change. After traveling most of the line’s route, I got off at a point where the station also shared a couple other lines. Line 2, the Green line, was my connection and once onboard, I was only about 7 stations away. Getting off at the Guro Digital Complex (stop number 232 on the Green Line) I had to walk for about 10 minutes to get to my hotel.
I arrived at the hotel, Four Points by Sheraton, around 7:30. It was much too early for my early check-in, so I left my bag at the front desk and went to breakfast on second floor. Along with a delicious omelet, I experienced a very delicious kimchi! I stayed in the breakfast area for a little more than an hour. Everything was very good.
I was able to check into my room by 10 a.m. After unpacking and taking care of some correspondence and phone calls, I decided to take a nap. I did not want to sleep too long, so that I can get on a local sleep routine. By this time, I had been up for almost 40 hours. After sleeping for another four and a half hours, I felt fine. I did not leave the room again this day, Saturday in Korea, Friday night in South Carolina!
Reflecting on my departure from Atlanta on the night of July 18th, I think of the advances in technology and travel that we all can enjoy. Climbing into the magnificent ‘time machine’ Airbus A-350, 14 hours later I emerged into the dawn of July 20th! …. Where did the 19th go?
Sunday, July 21, 2024
6 a.m. and another beautiful day! The breakfast offering is waiting!
I could not resist it…. Another omelet, roasted potatoes and the best kimchi in town! And then…. Some fruit, and while I hesitate to admit it, I had a bowl of chocolate chex cereal and milk…. And two cups of cappuccino coffee. Enough already! That is my meal for the day, then comes 24 hours of fasting, maybe…
Sitting across from across from me were two boys with their grandmother. They were obviously twins, look-alikes and same age, around 8 years old. I would catch them gazing in my direction, trying not to be obvious. After all, I was the only foreigner in site! I would try to make eye contact but then the curious one would turn away… until I got his attention by wriggling my ears and nose. He finally smiled, then looked away.
Although we are threatened by a chance of rain today, I am going sightseeing today.
I first went to Yeokgok station, to a coffee shop I am familiar with. From there I took the subway to Gangnam…you know, as in Gangnam Style! I explored that area for a while and did a lot of walking. By the time I returned to the hotel, I was exhausted and very thirsty! But all was good. I had a nice salad for dinner, from another coffee shop/bakery, across from the hotel. Tous les Jours is very nice.
A couple of my adventures early in the trip took me to a water park near Chuncheon and to the Lotte World Tower.
On Tuesday morning, I met with my friends Bi-ryong, Si-eun and Eun-hye at the Incheon Bus Terminal. From there we left for Chuncheon.
I am not one who is accident prone, but…
This video is one of my friends on the small slide. Note the high slide below. That is the one I used, and basically slammed the water from about 15 feet, about half way through a dive…. interpret, belly flop.
I thought I was about to die! Such pain, all over but especially in the back. I was partially disabled for much of the evening and into the next day. The best part of this trip was being with my friends. They also prepared a very nice dinner!
My friends that took me to the water park… they are all cousins. We had a great time and they took good care of me! Left to right is Si-eun (professional model and studied to become a flight attendant), Eun-hye (professional dancer), Soyi (student, graduating from high school this year), Bi-ryong (working and studying to become a master chef with dreams of having his own restaurant some day) and Inhoo (will graduate from the university in the coming year, and will teach).
On a different day, I visited the Lotte World Tower again. It is a nice experience. It is the 6th tallest building in the world. The elevator takes about 63 seconds to travel to the 121st floor.
I took these photos on a previous trip. The Lotte World Tower is located near the Jamsil Subway Station, which is on the Green Line (#2).
The photo above was taken from the 121st floor of the tower, looking down on Lotte World, which is a conglomeration of department store, market, amusement park, an Olympic-sized ice skating rink (year-round), restaurants, other amusements and so much more!
The photo below is of the neighborhood where I lived in Songpa-gu when I taught English for the Berlitz Language Institute. Looking down from this height, Seoul looks like a tiny toy town!
And looking down through the glass floor from 1800 feet above the ground will challenge the nerves of most, though some of you/us would not admit it!
Break time! More posts to follow…