After saying my goodbyes, including the very sad but equally cuddly one to Zara, I was off.
After 7 months of counting down and saving and fantasizing it is hard to comprehend, and last night, considering the ordeal of 4 months away from family, friends and the bubble of home, I actually found myself not wanting to go. That didnt last too long, especially with a place as wacky as Korea to rekindle my enthusiasm.
And the festivities began as soon as the plane ride began with a Korean airline offering of 'honey roasted peanuts' just like in the Simpsons. I checked the back, and too my surprise the ingredients were not 'salt, artificial roasting agents, fresh peanut sweepings (Mmm..)', which probably explains why they tasted so gross. I sat smugly for the rest of the flight having had my belief in always trusting the wisdom of the Simpsons reaffirmed.
Upon arrival at the swanky Hyatt where the airline put us up we ate a buffet style dinner involving way to much of a dish called bulgogi, and then went to check out the sauna and baths. We bared all, as is the custom, but found the one dude who sat naked with his legs splayed open washing his genitals with a hand held shower a little bit creepy. After attempting to use the gym and feeling like throwing up we went to bed and watched Korean tv show 'vitamin' - I have no idea what it was about. Not vitamins though.
The next day we took a walk to airjoy the abandoned mall complex with one store. The place looked like it had been through some kind of zombie apocalypse. We found a Korean man who beckoned us to follow him to this giant store emart ( the only store) which they opened early just for us western spenders. After taking photos of the crazy Korean stuff, buying some colorful bandaids and 'for your body, no sleep candy' gum we returned to the hotel and got ready to leave.
Next stop tel aviv!!