7:27 - Leave it to me, Miss Anal Retentive, to spend hours typing up a well thought out itinerary only to lolly-gag and nearly miss my train. And believe me I hustled my butt off those last few minutes and made it just in time. Sweaty. And gross. And ready to hurt somebody. But just in time. Even getting on the train at Nishi-Funabashi to get to Kaihinmakuhari (where I would catch the bus to Narita Airport) was a freaking joke. I was the last one onto a super packed train and I didn't want to be rude but I used the Japanese people I've seen board the train in the past as an example and wriggled my way into the train - big backpack, luggage, and all. Of course, with sweat sliding all over me I was none too comfortable. Nevertheless I persevered and now I'm in the Hotel Springs lobby (my departure point) awaiting my chariot to the airport.
10:35 - Stupid move #2: instead of putting my lotion in the sanctioned 3 oz./100 ml size bottle I brought especially for situations like this, I decided that the security people would not mind if I brought a nearly empty 8 oz. bottle of lotion with me . . . WRONG! (laughs hysterically) They double checked my bags to make sure I wasn't bringing any knives with me (as the security woman put it, but seriously?) and then she regrettably told me in reluctant Japanese that she had to throw it away. I sad-faced away from her to rearrange my bags and went in search of my gate. With only 30 minutes left to call my boyfriend before having to board the plane, I hurriedly called him only to get his voice mail several times. I left the usual message of promised safety and after sharing all my love I hung up. But, I thought maybe I should try once more just to be sure and what do you know . . . he picked up! He had just gotten off of work so he couldn't answer. We caught up, talked about sports (GO BULLS!) and bid each other take care. I'm so glad he has been so supportive of me in this because otherwise I would not have gone alone. (Oh yeah, that's the really interesting part about this excursion). He is one of the best people I know (even when he doesn't think so) and I'm happy to have had a moment with him if only in brief. Well I have to go, the plane is about to get under way. See you in 2.5 hours!17:31 - Got to the airport about 15:10 and putzed around on the computer at the airport internet café trying to 1) get the internet to function and 2) see how to walk to the place I'm staying. Google said it's a three minute walk where everything else said 5-10. Only time will tell (hehe, yes I giggled at this). As I walked through the airport I saw an ice rink. A freaking ice rink in an airport! Pretty interesting if you ask me.
Now that I'm on the train I am so exhausted I feel like I'm going to pass out but aside from that I will say that the scenery is magnificent and I can't wait to explore! There is one intriguing thing I would like to mention. I've noticed an ongoing trend here in Seoul at the train stations. Just before the doors on the train is a solid wall of glass that slides open when the train doors open. I saw a similar concept in Japan except here it was a floor to ceiling glass wall instead of a sliding wall that goes up to my waist. Now this is just my observation but given the history of suicides occurring at train stations in Japan, this leads me to believe that this is the reason for the wall. That being said, a wall that high wouldn't stop anyone from jumping it whereas the ones here in Korea eliminate all such possibilities. Just a quick thought.
~ 19:30 - After frantically walking around Gangnam (Kangnam) like a chicken with its head cut off, getting difficult directions from the Korean woman hanging with three English-speaking dudes, and finding clarity through an American woman who looked like she wanted run away from me at first, I have finally made it to my hotel. But those first two only pointed me in the right direction. It took me playing Pictionary with the Hangul on a train station map and hearing two women speak Japanese (the only recognizable speech I'd heard since the Americans) to get me where I am now. I was taking pictures of the parts of the map I needed when I realized what they were saying. They were headed in the direction that I needed to be in (they kept saying "Go to the Ritz Carlton" to one another which happened to be on my way) so I followed them and when I figured out where I was I made my way to Dormy Inn Seoul Residence.
Now usually I'm not too keen on relying on the pictures on most hotel websites because they can be a bit misleading sometimes. This place was right on the mark. Not only do I have a HD TV, a nice full-size mattress and a desk with LAN cable but I have a microwave, a sizable closet, a large fridge, sink and dishes to wash in it, a stove AND a washing machine. Well worth what I spent to visit during a holiday. When I walked in the room I was slightly floored and after setting my things in their proper place I decided to take the opportunity to savor the moment by taking a picture of me jumping on the bed.
Looks fun right? Well imagine my surprise at having found this . . .
If I feel at all desperate for a taste of home I will definitely take a look.
The only thing I must say that I am a bit sad about is the fact that the main part of my plans have been put aside (I am too tired and it is too late to do what I wanted to). I at least still get to go clubbing though so that's okay. I must give myself a huge pat on the back though because instead of giving up, curling into a ball and rocking back and forth like a traumatized fool I took deep breaths and kept my cool (and read the sign "Keep Calm and Carry On" conveniently placed on the wall of a store by my map). I am very proud of myself for doing this but I know next time I will take better care to have physical maps on me.
Well, now I am going to go get myself some breakfast for the next couple days compliments of your friendly neighborhood 7-11 and prepare myself for dancing my butt off tonight in triumph over adversity. Language barrier . . . you have met your match! じゃまた！
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