Day 1 - 8/23/2012

I’m probably gonna split this into two parts because i’m tired >< But, I’ll recap as much as I can before my laptop battery dies.

So my first impression of Korea via Incheon International Airport is it’s clean. Like wow. Everything is glass and metal and concrete. Normally, everything would look grey and depressed in that case, but it gives off this awesome chic vibe. You actually have to take a mini subway train from the plane to the customs area but I’m not going to go deep in detail. Basically if you follow the signs and everyone around you, you’ll be fine.

Customs and Immigration is a breeze. Baggage check was a bit difficult because my bag liked to escape. But this nice Korean guy helped me out and lugged it off for me (it actually took two of them ><).

In the reception area (idk what you call the place where people wait for you), it was crowded and hot! I exchanged some money and got about 40,000 won. The Airplane Limousine Bus (ALB) ticket cost 10,000 won (about 10$) and was easily found. Most people are very nice but the English language skill… not so good. If not for my Korea, right now, I’d probably be on a street corner crying.

Anyways, the ALB was roomy and comfy with announcements in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. There are these red buzzers on the ceiling that you press in order get off the stop. Unfortunately, I missed my stop >< So I had to get off, flag down a taxi and go back. I told him Ewha’s Back Gate, across the street from Yonsei’s international dorms but somehow he dropped me off on campus, but now where I was supposed to be. Little did I know that and so I forked over 30,000 won (I’m still punching myself in the face for that ok) and began my trek up a hill with 100lbs worth of luggage..

After about 15 minutes, and the help from a very nice ajusshi (who asked me if I was hot in my hijab) and two female students (one who spoke very good english), a van of staff from the International Office pulled over and gave me and my luggage a ride to the dorm!! YAY!! Thank the Lord! If not for them, I’d be still hiking up a hill.

The was check-in. My room key didn’t work and my housing payments still has not gone through, but its all almost resolved. I have a temporary room key and will get a new one tomorrow. And I have until Aug 31st to figure out the payment. It should have been here a couple days ago, so I’m hoping Yonsei’s bank will process it tomorrow.

In any case, that was my day! I’m so tired and hungry.. But I don’t want to venture out and get lost >< I’ll also be trying to make a photo stream or something for my pictures, because uploading will take a while and slow down the loading of the blog…

We’ll see…

Until Next Time,
SmilingSeoul

Ok. So this is probably the worst thing ever, flights. How to get from NY to Incheon International Airport in one piece? Especially since I’m not keen on transferring planes like in China or Eygpt, where if I get lost, I’m so doomed. 

Luckily, I have a friend with a BRILLIANT mom who suggested we fly to the west coast, ie California, and take a flight from there to Korea. BRILLIANT. NY to Incheon, even with a 13 hour stop in China, is about $1,300. But, if you go from NY to Cali and then from Cali to Korea, it’s about $800 total. It’s quite honestly…perfect.

So just a tip, look into different routes. It’s not something most people think of but it’s a great money-saving move!

I also need to get my visa, which I heard can be a pain… So I’ll let you all know how that process works!

Until Next Time,
SmilingSeoul