The sounds of bells clinging and clanging awoke me on the day of my departure. 2:15am, giving me just 45 minutes to be ready and out the door to Portland, in order to check my bags, go through security and get to my gate before take-off. Of course all went well, I don’t see how it could have gone any other way seeing as how it was so early and delays seemed quite avoidable. As I walked out on the runway I looked up towards the parking garage where my parents were waiting and watching. I gave them a final wave of the hand before lowering my head and boarding the plane. I owed them much for their care and generosity, but then again what loving parents wouldn’t have done the same.
On the flight I sat next to a young boy who looked like he wanted and needed another 5 hours of sleep. He got a couple on the flight down to L.A. I myself tried to doze off a bit, however, I happened to sit across the aisle from the only two men on the airplane who were persistent in carry out a conversation while the rest of us tried to rest. On and on they went taking about places they’ve been and what those places do right and wrong. “Well in Guatemala they do this and in Argentina and in Oregon and in Japan…” although I was intrigued with their discussion of the beloved Argentina the rest of their conversation withheld me from further needed rest. For two hours they conjured up conversation. I thought to clap as we landed and they became silent, but instead I grabbed my bag and walk into the L.A. international airport with blood shot eyes.
The international airport in L.A. is, well, very big to put it bluntly. It took a little questioning to find my way around but I managed. Checked in, went through security again and found my gate. As hunger set in I went hunting through the section looking for a sandwich. Unfortunately, airport personnel have no idea what the cost of food is throughout the country. I settled for an apple and a banana and suffered the cost for my hunger with a purchase of $3.89. Returning to my gate I read some, but reading made me all the more weary so I nibbled on some homemade bread and people watched. As take off gradually drew closer and closer the gate was filled with an array of people but mostly those of oriental decent. Then the flight began on a bowing 747, which was a freakishly huge plane. The flight was so long…it went on and on and on…6 movies I watched, two meals I ate and a couple 15 minute naps to conclude the adventure over the pacific.
When I got to South Korea I went through customs, exchanged currency, got my bags and then sat around for about an hour until the driver from the school made it. Unfortunately, the two of us had to wait for about an hour at the airport for another teacher from Chicago who never showed up because he missed his connecting flight in Tokyo. Then Pep and I headed for Seoul and as he drove we discussed North and South Korea, things to do, U.S. politics and pop culture. Then after 29 hours of traveling I met my boss and some other employees. Thereafter they drove me to my temporary apartment in Seoul. Once they left I turned on the television, wrote a quick e-mail to my family to let them know that I was ok and then I crashed.