So I'm Technically In Korea...

   Anyone who's known me for more than ten minutes knows that I'm a magnet for bad luck and bodily harm. And soon after that they learn that I'm also consistent. So when I showed up to the airport at 4am Friday morning and was told my entire itinerary had been re-booked a day due to weather, everyone was angry but no one was surprised.

   Attempt two has proven to be much more successful even if it has been with a lot more stress. After my Western flights were all changed I learned the Asian carriers had not re-booked because those flights were still a go. I thought things would work out as United was awesome and brought me all the way to Incheon. But I found out that I'd still need a way to get to my town from there. After the travel agent my school hired told me there was literally nothing for me to do but wait an entire week, I got on the phone myself and got a free flight for the morning after my arrival in Incheon. The only catch being that I had to stay the night in the airport, which is what I'm almost done doing now.

   The hardest part of the trip was, by far, the 13-hour flight from Chicago to Narita, Japan. I was sat in the aisle section, in-between a Japanese businessman on one side and a Korean businessman on the other. We weren't unfriendly to each other, but no one really spoke the entire flight. I assume this was because we were all basking in our own misery at being stuck in a rocket-propelled air bus for an ungodly amount of time. At one point the Japanese business man opened a soda and a TIIIINY amount of spray got on my arm. He actually pushed my hand and napkin away to dab at it himself. Odd, yet politely.

   I was a bit disappointed I didn't get to see anything in Narita while I was there. Japan's kind of known for having unique, strange things but the strangest thing I saw was the toilet with an arm rest full of amenity functions, including: a bidet, dryer, music, and deodorizer. I'm sure there was a lot of the airport I missed staying as close to my gate as I did.

And now I'm in Incheon. Incheon airport is very modern - and very empty through the night. Another American, a soldier here for three weeks of training, got similarly stuck so we spent our time together. We went to the airport's 24 hour restaurant where I embarrassed myself asking for a drink behind a glass that opened on MY side and he ordered chili that came back looking like anything but. We're both a little concerned our bags will have gone AWOL or MIA by the time our flight arrives, but everyone on staff we've spoken to has been very reassuring that they've got everything under control. And not having to worry about lugging two 50 pound suitcases around made it possible for me to relax, Skype home, and take a nap sprawled out on a bench in as much of an undignified manner as possible.

I have to admit I was a little worried when I arrived. I hear stories daily from other foreigners in Korea about being stared at, pet, or propositioned. So when I didn't see a single other foreigner waiting for the train from the gate to Arrivals and Baggage Claim I figured I'd stick out. And I did, but not in a bad way. I ended up waiting for the train to Arrivals with a group of Korean women about my age who were also teachers. They asked how I was from and where I was going. And then I learned my first full phrase since arriving here:

                            열차이 듣 도착압니다. (yeolcha ii deud dochakhamnida)

Which means "The Train Is Arriving Soon".

And speaking of, I should be getting ready to get my boarding pass for my last flight! Talk to you soon!

"The Time Has Come," The Walrus Said...

   In four more days I will be boarding the first of three planes that will bring me to my new life in South Korea. As this is my first adventure involving a time difference so big it will most likely interfere with communicating with people back home, I thought a little blog was in order. Korea is a grand 13 hours ahead of and 7,000 miles away from my hometown of Upstate New York. This, of course, makes my time living in England (8 hours ahead, 3,000 miles away) look like kiddie pool fun-times at Gymboree.

   I wish I had something interesting or insightful to share at this point, but the fun hasn't even started yet! You can check back every Monday morning (NY time) for stories or pictures or any other kind of confirmation that I'm okay (and I will be- so unclench).

   I will say that I didn't expect leaving to be this hard. Saying goodbye to friends/family/coworkers feels so much different this time around than any other time I've gone off chasing the wind. This move seemed like such a far away concept until now that it's hit everyone like a ton of bricks and we're just realizing things like, "hey, I should probably drop in and give you a hug" and "why aren't I all packed? I'm leaving in less than a week!"

   There is still packing and hugging to do so things shall be cut short this time around. Next week's entry will be coming to you from all the way in Changwon City!

                                                                               ~ N.