First Impressions of South Korea

Many things I have noticed already, but here are some good ones:

1. Traveling is very hard on young kids. I miss Alex dearly but am so grateful that I didn't put him through the 13 hour flight here. There was a family with two young boys sitting directly in front of me. The mom and dad literally stood in the aisle just so there boys could stretch out over 4 seats and sleep for a few hours. It was such a selfless act, and made a profound impression on me. I had the pleasure of sitting right beside a 4 month old baby as well. She was just miserable and cried frequently. Being a new mom myself, this did not upset me, just made me very aware of how hard it is on the little ones.


2. Korean flight attendants are gorgeous. Georgia said that it is a requirement of the job, no qualms. No discrimination suits. The "ugly girls know not to apply."


3. Korean men like to mock foreigners. A lot. It really irritates Georgia but I just thought it was weird. Georgia knows enough of the language to know they are mocking us, am oblivious.


4. Korean men like my boobies. Totally caught a man staring at my chest on the subway. I made eye contact with him and he just smiled. Georgia did give me the heads up that if someone asks if I am a Russian, quickly say no. That means you are a prostitute. Considering I am already being gawked at, I better practice that response. A woman asked at the Incheon airport if I was a Russian, but only because she herself was from Russia and needed help figuring out customs. She didn't have a cool sister send her an email of what to expect and how to get through it. Right down to disinfecting carpet right when you get off the plane that gets your shoes wet... so walk gingerly onto the tile floor.


5. After getting off the Subway and getting onto the streets of Seuol, I finally felt like I was in a foreign country because the buildings look so different. The signs are all neon and everything is open late, all night long. People start later here. Makes me wonder which country has it right. I may be able to offer an opinion on that after my time here is over.


6. Skype is my best friend. I have talked to Brent several times already and this morning was able to see them on the webcam and talk to my boys. Alex lite up like a Christmas tree when he saw me. All for free.


7. Hotel rooms are very different here. The "bed" is more like a boxspring, literally, and everything is small. Very functional but nothing at all fancy. The bathroom has the shower in the middle of the room and the drain two feet from the toilet. No division. Good to know when when going to the bathroom after a shower has taken place. Wet socks are not happy socks.

Time to go find some breakfast. Apparently people eat soup and rice to start their day here. There is a Dunkin Donuts down the block. I would never consider it in the USA... starting my day off with a donut while on Weight Watchers. Well guess what?! If it is between a damn donut and soup- going for the donut every time.