Trials & Travel
Twenty-some miles and the Gyeonggi Bay separate Seoul from Incheon International Airport. At high tide, the bay bustles with the usual activity -- fishing boats, barges, and all trimmings. At low tide, however, the bay becomes a vast, impassable march, mud as far as the eye can see.
When we arrived in Seoul, this low tide predicament greeted us. It was admittedly not the prettiest greeting, but we weren't choosy. It had been a long day.
Twenty hours before, we had made our way to Denver International Airport in the winter's second snowstorm. What should have been a half-hour drive quickly grew to seventy-five minutes, followed by a super-sized trip from the park and ride. By the time we settled into our seats to San Francisco, it was a relief to get out of Denver's snow-drenched scenery.
The flight from San Francisco offered a view of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier as we worked our way up the coast. Not long after, I dozed off, not waking until my very Korean seatmates prodded me awake for supper. Sleep would come again -- not easily, but I didn't care. We were almost there.
Mia Sorella surprised us at the airport, having been dismissed by her partner teacher.
"Ashley ... Ashley ... Ashley! ..."
Mr. Rogers nudges me. "I think someone over there knows you."
And so it was that the three of us were sitting on the train together, luggage in hand, as we crossed the mud bay into Seoul that Thursday afternoon.
We arrived in Banghwa (the part of the city in which Mia Sorella lives) and went straight to her apartment. Now, it should be noted here that her apartment is small. Very small. Furnished-efficiency-apartment-in-Asia small. No-full-sized-appliances small. Three-suitcases-of-stuff-and-its-still-full small.
Small. I think you get it.
Generally, there is enough space for Mia Sorella. She doesn't really have much room to spare, but she was graciously letting us stay there instead of spending a couple hundred on a cheap motel. Mr. Rogers made himself moderately comfortable on the floor (well, he didn't complain much anyway) and I occupied half of Mia Sorella's mattress. After a quick meal of galbi (Korean barbeque -- delicious), we were too tired to care much where we were sleeping.
The next morning the fun would really start.
When we arrived in Seoul, this low tide predicament greeted us. It was admittedly not the prettiest greeting, but we weren't choosy. It had been a long day.
Twenty hours before, we had made our way to Denver International Airport in the winter's second snowstorm. What should have been a half-hour drive quickly grew to seventy-five minutes, followed by a super-sized trip from the park and ride. By the time we settled into our seats to San Francisco, it was a relief to get out of Denver's snow-drenched scenery.
The flight from San Francisco offered a view of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier as we worked our way up the coast. Not long after, I dozed off, not waking until my very Korean seatmates prodded me awake for supper. Sleep would come again -- not easily, but I didn't care. We were almost there.
Mia Sorella surprised us at the airport, having been dismissed by her partner teacher.
"Ashley ... Ashley ... Ashley! ..."
Mr. Rogers nudges me. "I think someone over there knows you."
And so it was that the three of us were sitting on the train together, luggage in hand, as we crossed the mud bay into Seoul that Thursday afternoon.
We arrived in Banghwa (the part of the city in which Mia Sorella lives) and went straight to her apartment. Now, it should be noted here that her apartment is small. Very small. Furnished-efficiency-apartment-in-Asia small. No-full-sized-appliances small. Three-suitcases-of-stuff-and-its-still-full small.
Small. I think you get it.
Generally, there is enough space for Mia Sorella. She doesn't really have much room to spare, but she was graciously letting us stay there instead of spending a couple hundred on a cheap motel. Mr. Rogers made himself moderately comfortable on the floor (well, he didn't complain much anyway) and I occupied half of Mia Sorella's mattress. After a quick meal of galbi (Korean barbeque -- delicious), we were too tired to care much where we were sleeping.
The next morning the fun would really start.
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