Alright. So the week leading up to my departure from Toronto was literally a whirlwind of crap that I had to do. I wish I spent the last two days eating nonstop, filling myself with delicious noodle soups and rice and stirfries and pad thai, because that is what I miss most. But Every single day was filled with must do 's and I dont think I got a chance to really appreciate living at home with all my family and friends around.
The night before I left was Halloween. I got to see Ryan, Nic, and Katelyn one last time before I left. And they were all dresssed up and giddy on candy and sugar. It was wonderful. Taking Leanne and Ryan trick or treating with Keiko and Igor was so much fun! It had been at least five years since I had been trick or treating.
When I said goodbye to Leanne that night, I think she was about to cry. She was genuinely sad and understood clearly that it would be a LONG time before we met again. :(
When I left for the airport at 6ish in the morning, my parents wanted to come with me, but I made them stay at home. My mom was so sad when I left. When I called her days later, she said she cried for a whole day.
At the airport, I realized that travelling by air is no fun at all. Just a bunch of rushing about, waiting in lines, declaring things, filling out forms, etc. Igor wasn't allowed in with me to customs so I had to hastily say goodbye to him. It felt so unfulfilling. So it was just me and Keiko now. We took American Airlines to Chicago in the TINIEST aircraft ever. I almost had to duck when boarding and finding my seat...ME having to DUCK!. Anyways, the lift off was so much fun, but after then I had a queesy feeling, kind of like riding on rollercoasters. I wanted to panic but I was really tired so I closed my eyes and just waited it out. (One point for Na, zero for nerves.)
In Chicago, it was a fucking circus. I had two hours before I had to board Korean Air. At Pearson International, I was told that my baggage would automatically be sent to Korean Air, but I could pick up my dog in Chicago. When I got to Chicago, I talked to about 5 different people about getting my dog and they say "Well, your dog has been transferred to Korean Air already." Um, I dont think so. Its a 14 hour flight, she is a DOG, not cargo and she needs to be cleared by Korean airlines and tested and whatnot. So it takes about one hour for them to get someone on the loading dock and get her back to me. She is so distraught when I get her and there is no time to take her to a grassy area to potty and she wouldnt go on cement.
I now have about half an hour to make it to Korean Air. So I ask another five people how to get to the Korean Air terminal. (The rudest people ever!) I thought airlines would employ their best, top notch staff, but instead its all new immigrants with no customer service skills. Anyways, some lady said you need to get on a train and go. Shit, now I have to find a train. I find it, get to the International Terminal, Keiko goes through a thorough inspection for hidden drugs and whatnot and goes into baggage. She is the only dog on the airline and she barks relentlessly. They wont let me put water in her cage so after five minutes of barking, she is going to be extremely thirsty. For fourteen hours. What a brave girl.
As for myself, I think Ill keep my flying to a minimal, and when I do fly, I should opt for first class. Being stuck for 14 hours in a sitting position squeezed next to two other people sucks massive ass. BUT, I did get a window seat, so I could see outside to the clouds below. Planes are so frikken cool. They are so surreal in how they just float in the sky and all of sudden, you are half way around the world.
Also, it never got dark as we flew across time zones. It was so cool. The moon was out and it was daylight. I felt like a time traveller. I had an urge to read science fiction.
You know what, I am over-reacting. The plane ride wasnt terrible. I was just grumpy.
Anyways, I land in Incheon International Airport at 4 pm on Monday and go to get Keiko back and bring her to quarantine. After she is checked and approved, I bring her and my suitcase (which was half open and missing a chunk from its side) out towards the arrival gates and I see a middle aged man holding a piece of paper with my name on it. There were a lot of people standing around holding white signs with names on it. I had to scan the crowd slowly until I found my name squiggled on some airport paper. Actually, I just remembered that I took that paper and kept it as a souvenir...but where did I put it...
Anyways, he was the driver the school hired. His Korean face looked so serious and I was scared to approach him. But when I did, he smiled and his whole face transformed. He was not scary any more.
My first priority was to get Keiko to pee somewhere bc she hadnt gone for over 20 hours and she wouldnt go just anywhere. We drove for about ten minutes until we found grass, and she went potty for the LONGEST time. The driver got out of the car mid-pee bc she took so long and he gave out a cheer. It was funny. I could tell he was proud.
An hour and a half later, I arrive at Samgwang Middle School in northern Paju City. The vice prinicple and two Korean English teachers stayed behind to meet me. They were so friendly. They drove me to my apartment, introduced me to the landlords, checked and made sure I had everything and it was all working. Then we went to eat dinner at a Chinese restaurant, which was very not Chinese at all. It was pleasant, but all I wanted to do was sleep.
So I slept at 8 pm and woke up at 4am. And I had been doing that for my entire first week here.
Luckily. I am no longer jet legged and wake and sleep like a normal Korean person now.
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