So I'm here. I've been in Seoul for about 24 hours now. About the first 12 were filled with what can only be described as... fear. I was terrified. I was (and probably still am) totally out of my depth here. BUT after I hit 15 hours, man oh man, the daylight brings something truly spectacular and awe sets in.
I had arrived at night, 12 hours on a plane I think does some kind of temporary mental damage. I couldn't sleep on the plane, and my knees got sore from not moving enough. The movies, although entertaining, were just not doing it for me. So I arrived tired, with a headache, and in the dark. And everything felt like some kind of weird dream. I am still struggling to believe that I'm actually here.
The very first thing I noticed about Seoul was the size of Incheon Airport. We had just landed and we probably would have docked somewhere maybe 3 or 4 times at Auckland, and we still hadn't stopped moving. Then we got off and I had to walk a mile to immigration and baggage claim. But that, that wasn't even a scratch of the surface of the size of this airport. But more importantly, it was a precursor to the size of this city. Another important bit of info, security at that airport was a breeze, so efficient. I had nothing to worry about at all. In fact, at that time of the evening, the airport felt suprisingly empty.
Dad, Soph and Sharon all picked me up at the airport, and it was about a 2 hour journey to Nowon, where I will be staying. I got the hugest hug from little Soph, and that was well needed after that plane trip. That train - 10 carriages long at least, the seats only along the wall, and there was no seperation between carriages. And clean. So so clean. I actually had a hard time believing the length even though I could see each far in the distance). Really different from our trains in Auckland to say the least. Yet even on a Sunday night, all those seats got filled at various points.
We had some Korean BBQ in the middle of Nowon, and we caught a taxi (right hand side of the road here, so I almost jumped in the drivers lap when trying to get in) and made our way back to the appartment. I made a joke about one of the lettuce leaves looking like those underwear leaves you see in censored classic paintings and statues (which I believe is why it tasted so bad - because it's for underwear, not for eating - which had Soph in stitches for a while).
I want you all to know that it is exactly like you see in Korean movies here. EXACTLY. There are neon signs and little alleys everywhere, numerous wires all over the power-poles. The colour scheme, the light, the roads, the subway, the rivers, the people, it is all real, and it feels like I'm walking through a movie all the time. The streets have a lot of cars and mini trucks, scooters and cyclists on them. But not like Indian/italian movie bad, the streets can be empty, and pedestrains seem to be pretty casual about walking on the road when it's quiet, and sometimes when it isn't. There are rules, and although people seem to like bending them, they dont seem too bad. You have to have your wits about you, that's for sure. And while we're at it, if you want to get somewhere forget manners. Just go. The biggest or the most ballsy get everywhere quick. So you'll have little old ladies trying to stick a shoulder in while you're trying to get on a bus, or see a little boy steal some womans seat on the train. To get past some people you may have to physically move them yourself, a light push to the side usually does it. Just do it. Don't be polite or you will never get anywhere. Dont be afraid to cut that little old lady off, because she will push you till you almost fall over anyway, might as well get the first shot in.
I have to tell you about the smell, because everyone will want to know: it isn't that bad. There are about 3 smells which will rub most of you the wrong way, but they are usually pretty temporary, and the city smells simply like a city. The first smell is methane, or fart smell (occurs randomly as far as I can tell and is the longest lasting bad smell - and no, its not me). The second is cigarrette smell - there are a shitload of smokers here, but you'll really notice it around appartment buildings the most, not so much on the street. The third and forth equal are what I'll call sulphur smell and fish smell, which occur in the city at random points, or near the river. And that recycling/rubbish shed you see over there? Just hold your breath. But dont worry too much, it's not that bad and smog is light as far as I can tell. Smog was my main concern and doesn't seem to be as bad as I thought it would be.
So anyway I think I'll make this part 1. I got to bed after staring out at the lights outside - the numerous and fantastic lights - wondering why on earth I left all my friends and the safety of NZ in the first place. At that point I felt for a moment like I'd made a huge mistake, and that this wasn't for me. But dont worry, things get better in part 2. When I hit 15 hours, after a sleep I see the city in the light for the first time.
I had arrived at night, 12 hours on a plane I think does some kind of temporary mental damage. I couldn't sleep on the plane, and my knees got sore from not moving enough. The movies, although entertaining, were just not doing it for me. So I arrived tired, with a headache, and in the dark. And everything felt like some kind of weird dream. I am still struggling to believe that I'm actually here.
The very first thing I noticed about Seoul was the size of Incheon Airport. We had just landed and we probably would have docked somewhere maybe 3 or 4 times at Auckland, and we still hadn't stopped moving. Then we got off and I had to walk a mile to immigration and baggage claim. But that, that wasn't even a scratch of the surface of the size of this airport. But more importantly, it was a precursor to the size of this city. Another important bit of info, security at that airport was a breeze, so efficient. I had nothing to worry about at all. In fact, at that time of the evening, the airport felt suprisingly empty.
Dad, Soph and Sharon all picked me up at the airport, and it was about a 2 hour journey to Nowon, where I will be staying. I got the hugest hug from little Soph, and that was well needed after that plane trip. That train - 10 carriages long at least, the seats only along the wall, and there was no seperation between carriages. And clean. So so clean. I actually had a hard time believing the length even though I could see each far in the distance). Really different from our trains in Auckland to say the least. Yet even on a Sunday night, all those seats got filled at various points.
I want you all to know that it is exactly like you see in Korean movies here. EXACTLY. There are neon signs and little alleys everywhere, numerous wires all over the power-poles. The colour scheme, the light, the roads, the subway, the rivers, the people, it is all real, and it feels like I'm walking through a movie all the time. The streets have a lot of cars and mini trucks, scooters and cyclists on them. But not like Indian/italian movie bad, the streets can be empty, and pedestrains seem to be pretty casual about walking on the road when it's quiet, and sometimes when it isn't. There are rules, and although people seem to like bending them, they dont seem too bad. You have to have your wits about you, that's for sure. And while we're at it, if you want to get somewhere forget manners. Just go. The biggest or the most ballsy get everywhere quick. So you'll have little old ladies trying to stick a shoulder in while you're trying to get on a bus, or see a little boy steal some womans seat on the train. To get past some people you may have to physically move them yourself, a light push to the side usually does it. Just do it. Don't be polite or you will never get anywhere. Dont be afraid to cut that little old lady off, because she will push you till you almost fall over anyway, might as well get the first shot in.
I have to tell you about the smell, because everyone will want to know: it isn't that bad. There are about 3 smells which will rub most of you the wrong way, but they are usually pretty temporary, and the city smells simply like a city. The first smell is methane, or fart smell (occurs randomly as far as I can tell and is the longest lasting bad smell - and no, its not me). The second is cigarrette smell - there are a shitload of smokers here, but you'll really notice it around appartment buildings the most, not so much on the street. The third and forth equal are what I'll call sulphur smell and fish smell, which occur in the city at random points, or near the river. And that recycling/rubbish shed you see over there? Just hold your breath. But dont worry too much, it's not that bad and smog is light as far as I can tell. Smog was my main concern and doesn't seem to be as bad as I thought it would be.
So anyway I think I'll make this part 1. I got to bed after staring out at the lights outside - the numerous and fantastic lights - wondering why on earth I left all my friends and the safety of NZ in the first place. At that point I felt for a moment like I'd made a huge mistake, and that this wasn't for me. But dont worry, things get better in part 2. When I hit 15 hours, after a sleep I see the city in the light for the first time.
It'll be terrifying for a bit but it will turn into the most amazing experience. Have fun. Eat everything
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