My Journey Part 3

My Journey – Part 3

In Dubai there was another Starbucks so I indulged in a caramel Frappuccino with cream on the top. Oh it was definitely heaven in such a hot place. I had 3 hours to kill to I took my drink to the gate I would be leaving from and I decided to do some writing in my notebook. I would have slept but I was too excited and nervous to relax. This time the plane was full, every single seat was taken up.

I found myself seated next to two other English people who were also flying to South Korea to teach English for the first time. Their names were Richard and Callie. (I forgot to mention that on the last flight I watched a Korean film called The Sword With No Name which was absolutely fantastic except they cut out all the really violent scenes) On this flight I decided to watch Carriers which scared the crap out of me! And also the film Avatar which I actually really enjoyed. We had two meals on this plane, but I cannot be bothered to type everything from the menu so to cut it short, the first meal was an omlette and fresh fruit and the second meal was some chicken and rice in a cream sauce with a kitkat. I didn't sleep a single wink for the full 8 and a half hours. Our second flight from Dubai was delayed because somebody had to be removed from the plane along with their baggage. Instead of arriving in Seoul at 4.15 like it said on my ticket, we got their at 5.30pm.

After watching my suitcase go around on the conveyor belt for the fourth time, I finally decided it was actually mine and collected it on the fifth time round. (Lmao – I wonder what the guy stood next to me thought when I kept looking at it everytime I saw it then finally collecting it 15 minutes later.) I made my way to the front of the airport in Seoul where Hwan (my contact) was going to pick me up. There was a row of around 50 people holding signs and I walked past everyone of them at least twice, making sure I didn't miss my name. I got in plenty of peoples way and when I got barged into for the millionth time, I decided it was best I just stand to one side.

Luckily Hwan must have seen this amusing sight and thought to put me out of my misery as he walked over to me and asked “Rachel?” I got really giddy, laughed in his face and replied “Oh yes he he he, that's me!” Luckily the Koreans have a sense of humour!

It took me and Hwan three hours on trains to get to the bus station I needed to be at. During this time we discussed how he calls women with fat legs – elephant women, how he knew more about London than me, and also the various countries we had both visited. It was a very comical journey and made me feel comfortable straight away. By the time we got to the bus station, the next bus to Geochang was at 10pm. As Hwan needed to get back to Seoul before the last train, he ended up leaving me in the bus station next to Dunkin Donuts and a toilet.

I was highly amused by my new environment and everybody stared at me like the foreigner that I was. After about 4minutes of constant attention I decided it would be best if I escape to the toilet.

And what an adventure that turned out to be...

To be continued...