Arrival in Seoul

After a 17 hour flight, we finally made it to Seoul's Incheon Airport.

We left Boston and stopped in Detroit after a short 2 hour flight. The security going through Boston
was trying something new I guess. We didn’t have to take anything out of our bags or take our shoes off! So weird, but really convenient. Also, as we were waiting in line, they rubbed our hands with this stick to tell if we had bomb residue on them. We had a 1.5 hour layover in Detroit, except it look s a while to walk across the airport to our other terminal (we were stupid and didn’t take the shuttle). We also had to rush to stop and buy alcohol for the principals of our schools because the duty free store in Boston didn’t have what we were looking for. It was funny, instead of letting us just take our alcohol to the gate, the duty free people meet you at the entrance to the plane with their little cart and give you what you bought. I’ve never done that before. I was starving at the airport, so I had to book it to McDonalds and buy us both something because by the time we got the alcohol and made it to the gate, the plane was boarding! It was kind of a whirlwind layover, but at least it wasn’t boring.

The flight from Boston to Detroit went by pretty quickly, but our time in Detroit went by even faster. There was this big indoor shuttle/train thing raised above the terminal that seemed unnecessary until we realized how big the terminal was. By the time we got to our gate they were about to board, but Abbi ran off to get some food anyway. I thought I would have to go pull her out of line at McDonalds when they called our section, but she came booked it back in time. 

We got on our plan to Seoul, and the seats I picked were definitely the ones to go with. Economy comfort was only like $120 extra per ticket, and we were sitting right behind first class, so we had even more extra room than the rest of economy comfort. It was actually a very comfortable flight until the 10 hour mark. I got a bit fidgety after that. Since there was no seat in front of us, the tray tables and TV's folded out from the arm rest next to us. It was really cool. Behind us on the plane were 2 other people going to Daegu with EPIK, Courtney and Kevin. What a coincidence. When we got on the plane, the flight attendants gave us cards showing our meal options. There was a “western” meal and a Korean meal. Gianni and I both opted for the western option at the earliest bird dinner we’ve ever had. They called it dinner and it was 2pm! I got airplane cheese tortellini and Gianni got airplane chicken. There was no wifi on board because it was an international flight, which I was kind of disappointed about. I watched The Place Beyond the Pines and Iron Man 3. We both spent some time playing a few games: Starcraft (Gianni had his computer out), Candy Crush Saga, and the in-flight games weren’t bad (they had bejeweled and solitaire among others). Uuuuh I was definitely playing Civilization V, not Starcraft. Just saying. I also paid close attention to the flight tracker. I like to look at the map and see where the plane is. As we were flying over California, I realize that when I was in LA, I was 3 hours behind EST, but now I in South Korea, which is 13 hours ahead of EST. At some point during the flight, we crossed the line where time stops going back and jumps ahead instead. I find that really cool to think about. In the middle of the flight, they came over with ham and cheese rolls and some snacks. They were also really good about making sure we had drinks, but I still felt thirsty the entire flight! Must have been the cabin air. Gianni and I did our best to sleep, and I think we got a few hours in at least, but it was still really difficult. Our last meal, about 1.5 hour before we landed, was breakfast. I learned that bibimbap is considered breakfast food, I guess, because that’s what Gianni got.I went for the omelet option. I felt like the Korean flight attendant was thinking, “of course this girl wants the western option” when I ordered the omelet but oh well. I wanted to get all the western food I could before we got to Seoul. As we flew over the city, it was really interesting to see the clumps of skyscrapers. They were all built around small mountains or hills. The landscape is really interesting in that way.

The flight from Detroit to Seoul wasn't actually that bad. The inflight movie and TV options were actually pretty diverse. There were way more options than on my Aer Lingus flight to Dublin. Abbi and I watched The Place Behind the Pines together and then I watched a whole bunch of TV. It was hard to sleep but I managed to get in a few hours. The food wasn't actually that bad either. I thought that the food was actually pretty descent. The bibimbap was more palatable than any of the other meat dishes. 

This is what 1 million won looks like. I'm a millionaire!

We landed at the airport, and I was able to use my phone to look up where the EPIK and Korvia booths were at the airport again because I had forgotten to write them down. The next step was to go through immigration, which can take a while. We followed the crowds down some steps to the tram, and we were very confused because we couldn’t figure out where the baggage claim and immigration signs were pointing. Eventually, we found a sign that said we take the tram to immigration. The process was really efficient, and there weren’t many people in line, so, luckily, it didn’t take long at all. We went through baggage claim, and I had a brief moment where I was seriously worried my bags wouldn’t come. Both of our bags seemed to come later on, and my gray bag didn’t come until the very last second. It had been taped shut. I guess TSA searched it and had trouble with the zipper. They also stole the maple syrup I was bringing as one of my gifts. Thanks for your concern TSA. After we got our bags, we had to make an extra step going through customs because we had more alcohol than you can take in without declaring it. We each had to pay about $15 in taxes on the alcohol, which wasn’t bad at all. It was actually very convenient because you pay the taxes at the currency exchange booth. I had exchanged half my American in Boston, but they didn’t have enough won at American Express, so I did the rest of it at the currency exchange in Seoul. After exchanging, we walked down to area F where we were assigned numbers and given information from EPIK. As we were waiting for our groups to be called, we met with the Korvia representatives who were sitting right near the EPIK booth. It was great to meet the people we have been talking to for months face-to-face, especially Jessie, since we’ve been talking to her a lot. Ann wasn’t there, but we both left our gifts for her with the reps. The Arrival Store packages were also right next to the EPIK booth, so I was easily able to get mine. Due to a miscommunication, my mattress pad was no at the airport. They didn’t want me to have to carry it around with me at orientation. They said I just have to give them my school’s address when I have it, and they will deliver it there. They are very helpful at TAS. I did pick up my electrical converter though. It’s just a medium sized box that I hope will help me out. I was able to go into the bathroom to change and brush my teeth, which was much needed. The airport was really hot, and it didn’t feel like air conditioning was even on. While we waiting, both EPIK and Korvia were doing videos, asking us questions about how we feel and things like that. It was cute, and I participated even though I felt totally nasty just getting off the flight.

We landed in Seoul at like 2 or 3 am our time, but I think all the excitement at being in a new place kept me awake and aware till we got on the bus. Going through customs and everything wasn't all that difficult, except for the slight hiccup of not knowing whether or not to get on the tram at the gate. We met with everyone from Korvia by the bus and they gave us a gift bag with a whole bunch of stuff, as well as a Korean cell phone. They took a bunch of pictures of us and did mini interviews. I hope I didn't look too greasy. We had to wait a little while for the Bus, but the time went by quickly. 

Finally our numbers were called, and we boarded a bus for Jeonju University where we will do our orientation. We didn’t realize, but the bus ride was about 3 hours long! We stopped at a rest area about half way into the trip. We had no idea what to order because all the food signs were in Korean. It was interesting. We ended up with some really bad popcorn chicken, and then went in a convenience store to get water. I also bought some rice cakes there…at least we could see what they were. We did a lot of sleeping on the bus as well. When we got to the University, we had to struggle to get our bags off the bus and into the dormitory building. A definite group effort there by Gianni and I because we had so much stuff. EPIK gave us name tags, a t-shirt, a towel, a mug, an orientation book, and bag for it all. We get to keep all of it! yay! A nurse also takes your temperature when you arrive. Gianni and I asked to be placed together, and we got to! So we are both in the same dormitory room here at orientation! I think this was actually good for Gianni because the girls were only getting placed with 1 other girl, but the EPIK rep on the bus said some of the boys would have to share with 4 people to a room! Yikes! The room is on the 12^th floor, and it took 2 elevator runs to get our stuff up here. It’s a very nice room though. Big enough for all our bags right now. The bathroom is the best part. Like other bathrooms in Korea we’ve seen, the shower is just stuck to the wall and there are 2 drains on the floor. The whole place is tiled, so it doesn’t matter if it gets wet. Everything gets wet when you shower. Not sure why Koreans have this system, but it’s interesting. The room also comes with air conditioning, but I’m not totally sure how to work it. The controller is all in Korean, and I can get it on, but it keeps shutting off after a few minutes. Going to have to ask about this tomorrow. The beds, although very welcomed after the plane and bus today, are very hard. I was prepared for that as well. I had heard Korean beds are on the harder side. Oh well!

The bus ride to Jeonju University was pretty long, but I spent the first hour or so looking out the window at the city and the Korean country side. After a while the jet lag got to me and I nodded off. We stopped at a rest stop and got some popcorn chicken that was as well as some rice cakes. We eventually made it to Jeonju and managed to get a room together, which is nice. I'm glad I don't have to share a room with 4 other people. The elevators kind of take a while here so it took us two trips to and a around twenty minutes to bring everything up. 

Tomorrow, we are going down for breakfast at 8am, and we have a campus tour at 10:30, followed by our opening ceremony for orientation. I’m excited to meet people and learn new things! Let’s get this ball on the road!

I’m writing this post at 4am because I’m jet lagged, and my sleep schedule is off. I’m going to try to get back on track and get at least a few more hours sleep though. Gianni is not having any trouble sleeping at all!