Part 1 – 8 Nights/9 Days Tour in Korea

I’ve been back now from Korea for over two weeks. It took almost the same amount of time for me to get over the jet lag. I had no idea it would be an issue. When we arrived in Korea, the only time change adjustment problem for me appeared to waking up early the first couple of days. The jet lag I felt being back home was physical exhaustion. I’d be awake and suddenly my body felt like it hit a wall.

The first part of my trip is documented in the form of a blog, along with a slideshow (courtesy of YouTube) of each day’s excursions. I’m glad I decided to write about my trip. It’s been fun to relive each day.

Many people have asked about my trip, of course. Looking back, I’m surprised about what I’ve chosen to share. Mainly, I talk about the food and the toilets. Ha! Ha! Consider that I’ve insulted an entire nation by not eating their food. The toilets? I had been forewarned, but, seeing is believing! Funny part, I really did need a manual but nobody wanted to talk about it.

Here’s where you can find details on the first part of my trip to Korea, referred to as the “8 Nights/9 Days Tour.” Out of courtesy of others, in most cases, names are not provided.

• Welcome

Part 1 Blogs:

• Day 1 - LAX
• Day 2 – Jeju Island
• Day 3 – More Jeju Island
• Day 4 – Busan
• Day 5 - Gyeongju
• Day 6 – Mt. Sorak
• Day 7 - Seoul
• Day 8 – More Seoul

Part 1 Albums:

• Part 1 - Photo Album

Now, I begin posting part 2 of my trip, which I will refer to as “On Our Own” in Seoul. We stayed in a Guest House (aka hostel) and visited with my friend’s family for six days.

Seoul Searching 2010

A week before my trip to Korea I debated whether to take my phone/laptop. I was thrilled to learn I didn’t need a voltage converter for either my phone or my laptop computer. Yay, Apple! However, ATT was unable to provide a roaming package for Korea.

Instead of the phone and laptop, I opted to take my Canon 20D camera. Since I can’t speak the language, why not capture the trip through photos? My husband loaned me his Flip video camera, too.

I had my camera with me most of the trip. There were one or two days I left it home because I was more likely to draw attention. (Those are days I’d pull out the Flip video camera if I felt it was safe.) I kept all my money on me because nothing screams tourist like a big-ass camera. As it turns out, Korean-Americans don’t blend in. Our clothes are different. We tend not to be dressy, as I learned. Let’s just say, when we travel, we’re comfortable. In my case, very comfortable.

My trip to Korea was life altering. Each day, I asked the question, what if this was my life? I know I only saw a glimpse of the country. Visiting Jeju Island is like going to Hawaii. The entire island appears to be living off tourists. Our bus ride, up the eastern coast from Busan to Mt. Sorak and along the northern border, was just a sliver of how the Korean landscape looks and the people live. Seoul was both a sobering and wild experience.

Overall, I had no expectations other than I was scared to death because I didn’t speak the language. With the amazing patience of my friend, I asked question after question, and learned about the food, people, and culture past and present.

I loved every minute of my trip. I met some truly wonderful people along the way. Most of all, I am thankful for the Holts and my parents (Lloyd & Birdie) for believing that, "Every child deserves a home of his own."

My trip will be documented on a (private) website by the same name as this entry, Seoul Searching 2010.