The ride back didn't took as long as it was on the ride there. South Korea-Tokyo-MN. It was a smooth transition. The dorky thing about it was that I packed too much. Usually when I travel via plane I don't have a carry on, but this time I did- a small suitcase and it was heavy too. Let's just say that I was very blessed to have a friend and some nice people with me on the flight back home. Home land security was a pain in the butt. First, the security guard made fun of me because I had three very large suitcases. Second, they were extremely heavy and I'm 5 feet (I tell myself). Third, all of them feel right before the door that led to the family waiting area. Yep, they all dumped onto the floor. There was a nice man that helped me "put it all together again" (humpty dumpty). As I was walking out the door, it was like everything was in slow motion. I looked around for my family knowing that they were just as anxious to see me. It was funny because no one recognized me (keep in mind that I've always had my hair down to my hips and now it was shoulder length...plus I had bangs). I had to call them so that they know me.....hehe. My dad said that I looked Korean! My parents. neice, and sister picked me up at the airport.
It's been over two weeks since I've been back to the United States. South Korea seems to bee a distant dream, in fact- it was if I've never been therebefore. Souvenirs are gone, Christmas is over, life re-starts again. South Korea was a moment in time. In fact, does life really re-starts again. As one of the many sayings go- "life happens when you are not looking". South Korea is life. One chapter closes and the next one opens. *sigh.
The most accurately word to explain what I am feeling right now is a "heavy heart". It's not depression, not re-entry cultural shock, it's just a "heavy heart". As I look out my window at home, the snow blankets the ground and life hibernates until the next coming of the spring. Yesterday I finally to look over the things I brought home with me. Traveling is such a bittersweet feeling. One part of you wants to stay and the other part wants to go back home. Wouldn't it be cool if we have a easily morphable transportable machine where we can easily flash home and back in minutes? It happens in TV...why not in real life? Maybe except the dinonsaurs part : ) Everything is the same as before I ever left. Except for some minor changes, everything is the same.
I'm leaving for Mexico today. Completely different from South Korea but it takes my mind of this "heavy heart" of mine. A new adventure....a new story.
Farewell South Korea. Until we meet again.
Japan Excursion: Scroll to bottom of page for more pictures!
Kansai airport: 1 1/2 ride
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2 comments:
hi!
my name's stephen and i'm planning on studying abroad this summer at yonsei through my school's EAP program. i found your blog and it has made me even more excited to go. i have a question though: what was living at the dmc ville like? i'm trying to decide which housing option i should apply for; while the i-house is probably a lot more convenient, the apartments at the dmc ville just sound so...awesome. well, hopefully you get this message and hope to hear from you soon.
stephen
Hi Stephen!
Sorry for replying so late! I hope it's not too late. Here are my thoughts:
DMC Ville:
- is totally tech!!
- you get to be with internationals
- large space, own cooking area
- plama screen tv : )
- Away from domestic students
- long travel time to school
- there's a a free shuttle bus that runs one time in the morning but otherwise you have to take the public bus home or any other time you want to go back to the apartment (cost is about $1)
Dorm: I'm not sure if the renovations are done yet, but the last I heard, it was very noisy for some of my friends who lived there
- it's more convenient
- it's by tons of things...shopping districts, restaurants, etc...all that you can imagine!
-small living space
For me personally, I would have preferred to live in the dorms no matter the noise. I felt very isolated from the majority of the international students and domestic students. It was a pain to commute daily- because some of the days, I would have two class with a huge break in between. I couldn't go home because it was a waste of time and money.
I think no matter what, you would enjoy either experiences! Either way, you'll get to meet lots of people and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of S.Korea.
Have fun!
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