hello asia

the only thing i don't like about traveling is the actual traveling part. the getting to the airport. the getting through security. the waiting and waiting. and then waiting some more. the excessively long plane rides that at times seem never ending. the customs and border patrols. the drug sniffing dogs. the jet lag! but despite all this, there is always the excitement of going somewhere new that makes all the torture worthwhile.

that said, funny story i need to share. i'll preface it by saying i'm a fast walker, for those of you who don't know. like really fast. despite my shortness. okay. gareth was kind enough to walk with me to the train station where i would catch the light rail (maiden voyage!) to seatac airport. while crossing one particular street, i was probably 10ft or so in front of him, and the little white crosswalk man was still on. but the hand started blinking when i was about halfway across. unfortunately, that hand stopped blinking the moment gareth stepped off the curb. there was also a car waiting to make a right hand turn. and this car was waiting patiently, politely, as most seattleites do.

but gareth, after pausing for a brief moment, then decided to make a run for it to catch up with me. and OUT OF THE BLUE this obnoxious voice comes booming over a loud speaker and proclaims: "next time don't cross when it says don't cross" (long dramatic pause) "unless you want me to TICKET you". my first thought was, "god? is that YOU?" but no, there was a cop behind that patient turning car. we both spun around, probably with very shocked faces of disbelief. seriously? you're going to ticket us? you honestly don't have more pressing issues to contend with than people crossing the street? to make matters worse, there was a mother with two young girls standing on the corner, who also loudly proclaimed: "see girls, THAT'S why you listen and read the cross walk signs". the cop thing was somewhat funny (i've actually met 2 people - native new yorkers ha - who have been ticketed for jaywalking in seattle), but i don't like being made an example of. seriously, one more reason i'm glad to get out of this city for a while!

the light rail was nice, cheap and convenient. it literally was making its maiden voyage that day to the airport, so i was surrounded by camera crews from local news stations. and the whole time i was praying i didn't end up on tv somewhere. ha. managed to call home to NJ to say my goodbyes to my family since would be missing the holidays with them. got a pleasant surprise when i boarded my plane. i was under the impression it was a middle seat b/c of its letter on this particular plane (D) but because it was the last row, there were less seats in the row due to bathroom space, and my middle seat became an aisle! major score! i always want an aisle since i rarely sleep on planes and like to walk around, especially on a flight that takes 11 hours.

the plane ride was uneventful, thankfully. switched planes in tokyo and boarded another to seoul. again, another uneventful plane ride. got my bags (they made it!) and got through customs. then almost seamlessly connected up with joslyn (who had flown in the day prior) and ryan - our host. took a bus to central seoul, then a cab to his apartment.

hello asia. nice to see you again.