Hello Everyone!
I thought I would take this opportunity to let you all know that I have arrived in Korea safe and sound. My journey began with very little sleep at 6am on Tuesday October 25th. I boarded Air Canada Jazz at 8:55am on time and departed for Vancouver. For my first time in a passenger jet I have to say it was pretty cool. My previous experience in a Cessna fails in comparison. I have to say my favorite part was flying over the mountains!
Upon arriving in Vancouver I left my arrival gate and made my way to US immigration where I had to declare why I was entering the country. This process was painless and the gentleman that questioned me was friendly. What sucked was my calculation of time was way off and I was only able to visit with my cousin Sean for about 5 minutes. However, it was great to see him after 5 or so years and I look forward to spending more time on my return home. Once through immigration I had to get my baggage and make my way through yet another security check! This was my second of the day and by this time I had the routine down. The security officers at both the Regina airport and the Vancouver airport were friendly and helpful. I was the last to board the plane by no fault of my own. Not only was immigration on the other side of the airport but the line of other people waiting was close to 100 long. Then after the security check I had to walk another 10 minutes just to get to my gate! Regardless, I made it and so began my second flight of the day.
My second experience on a passenger aircraft was a little different. First, it was a smaller aircraft and it was a prop job rather than a jet. Oh, I was able to secure a window seat for both of my first two flights, which made them more interesting! Anyway, the flight from Vancouver to Seattle is only about 40min and really…I spent most of it staring out the window and watching the landscape below. I found it inspiring! I arrived in Seattle and made my way to my next boarding get…the final leg of my journey…the major passenger jet for Korea Airlines. The craziest part…I had to take not one but two different subways (found within the Seattle airport) to get to my boarding gate. I finally figured it all out and checked in. With the 40 minutes I had to kill I decided to play on my laptop for a bit. Upon opening the lid it immediately picked up on a wireless signal…I was excited to send out a quick e-mail letting everyone know that all was well…yeah, then it wanted me to pay for it! Needless to say I didn’t and just toyed around until the boarding call.
Once on the plane I experienced my first full meal on an aircraft, my first in flight movie, and just how uncomfortable those seats are after 11 hours!! I think I will be flying first class home! LOL! So, after 11 hours in the air over the Pacific Ocean I landed at Incheon airport in Korea. Here is where the fun began. First I had to make my way through Korean immigration…essentially by this point I had immigrated twice! After I passed through their questions I made my way to the baggage pickup. Here I found my first bag after waiting for 15minutes (there were a lot of passengers). Then, to my surprise instead of my other suitcase…I received a poster-sized plastic sign with my name on it and “Report to Lost & Found” written in bold across the top! I had to laugh! The one suitcase with all the goodies gets lost! LOL! So I made my way to lost and found where they informed me that some genius in Seattle forgot to put the bag on the plane. The Korean lady was nice and explained that the bag would arrive the next day and would be delivered to my address. This was great…but I don’t know my address! Thankfully she called the school I am working for and they gave her their address. The bag officially arrived, however, I did not hear about it until today. I picked it up this afternoon and will be unpacking the remainder of my stuff later tonight.
So now, one bag shy I made my way to a financial exchange counter where I traded my Canadian funds for Korean Won and proceeded out the arrival doors. It was cool and unsettling all at the same time. Arriving in Korea is like those scenes in movies where you walk out into this open area and there are hundreds of people staring at you watching for friends, loved ones, etc. I was so sure I would end up lost…then I saw my name on a sign. I made eye contact with Mr. Zang who was my contact from the recruiting company, sent to pick me up. He was really friendly and helped me get set up on the airport limousine into Seoul (It’s a bus!). Crazily enough, Mr. Zang didn’t accompany me on the bus, rather he told me to go with this woman who was going to the same bus stop. The buses here are different, they have individual seats that recline and have an extendable footrest. Once on the bus I found out the lady’s name was Kristen and she was coming back from China where her husband owns some company. The bus ride took about an hour and forty minutes. It was crazy! The bus drivers here drive very fast and weave traffic like they’re in a race! Every street can be likened to Albert St. in Regina…only make it 6 lanes on either side, double the speed limit, shrink the lanes, and throw caution to the wind…that is Seoul! After “bus racing” Kristen and I were dropped off at Jeongja subway station. This is where I was told the director would pick me up. To make a long story short, Kristen had to get her daughter to call the school for me and get someone to come and pick me up…it seems the school was under the impression that I would be dropped off at the school by Mr. Zang! Needless to say, the director of the school (Jae) arrived and took me to my apartment. He told me that I didn’t start until Tuesday and that if I needed anything to call him. Then he left me to my new home. WOW! This place is awesome! I have put some pictures up for everyone to see. They don’t really do it justice!
The night went by slow, I unpacked the one suitcase that had made it and my carryon luggage. Then I sat waiting for Krista…I think those two hours before she finally arrived were longer than the four months prior to my departure!
Krista and I went out for supper…I LOVE KOREAN FOOD!!! We went for a walk after we ate and talked. After about 20minutes we made our way back to the apartment and proceeded partake of the bottle of celebratory wine she had brought over. I unwrapped my grad gift…a full-length green silk house coat/robe…it’s awesome! After trying on the robe Krista ran down to the corner store in my apartment building and picked up another bottle of wine and I made preparations for the presentation of her gift…When she returned we had a few more glasses of wine and …
As the twilight of the moon swept across the pale laminate floor, Krista and I danced. We both appreciated and cherished the moment. Finally together, alone…Tim’s voice spoke of how we felt about each other, how we were more than just lovers, how there could never be another... His words only echoed faintly what we both felt in our hearts.
Krista looked up at me as the song began to fade. “I love you,” she said softly.
“I love you more…” I said playfully. She smiled, shook her head in disagreement, and responded with her usual “uh-uh.” At that moment as Tim was finishing his expression of how we felt for one another, I expressed the depth and breadth of my love…I took her hand in mine, stepped back, slipped my right hand into my pocket, and with her hand in mine I knelt down in front of her, presenting her with the ring I asked her to marry me…and she said YES!
So I guess it is official! Krista and I are engaged! I will try to keep you all up to date as things continue to change and happen here in Seoul. So many things to see and do! I don’t have much else to report so I will end this entry here. Take care! Please feel free to comment or just sign the guestbook to let us know that you were here!
Cheers
Sean
