On my way to Seoul

I’ve gotten off on an auspicious start to this holiday and I haven’t even gotten on the plane yet.  I just received a text from Air Canada that I’ve been upgraded to Business Class for my flight to Seoul.  Holy shit!!  I have never flown Business Class and I’m jittery with excitement.  This is going to be the best 11 hours of my flight life.  Of course, this would be the one time that I’m dressed like a hobo and look like I should be riding the rails, but I’m too pumped to care.  I board the plane and locate my pod.  There’s a toiletry kit, slippers, cushy headphones, a duvet and pillow and the best part:  a fully reclinable seat.  This is unreal!  Immediately a flight attendant comes by with a glass of sparkling water and a menu.  This is the life!

I settle in and can’t wipe the smile off my face.  I mention to the attendant that this is my first time in Business Class and she says they will endeavour to make my journey memorable.  I’m snapping photos of myself and taking video like a newby but whatever, this is exciting shit!  I opt for baked salmon for lunch with a cheese and fruit platter for dessert, accompanied with a glass of Italian Pinot Gris (more photos taken).  I stretch out on my fully reclined seat, cosy in my fluffy duvet and I don’t ever want this flight to end. How can I go back to Economy after this?  

I arrive in Seoul and am thrilled to find that my checked bag has also arrived.  I haven’t checked a bag in years so was a bit anxious about it, and when I asked the Air Canada employee at YVR what the chances were that it would make it, she told me “Fairly high.”   Not exactly instilling confidence with that response.

The airport is empty and I’m through Immigration quickly.  I head off to locate the stand where I’m picking up a local SIM card and I’m all set up within minutes.  Now the tricky part.  I’ve opted to take the express train to the main hub and then a subway to my hotel.  I manage to find the entrance to the train and a staff member assists me in purchasing a ticket.  At the same time I load up a subway card for local transportation around the city.  Everyone is super helpful and speaks perfect English.  All the signage is in English as well as Korean and easily navigated.

I hop on the express train and 40 minutes later I arrive at Seoul Station.  I follow the signs to locate the subway line I’m supposed to take and climb onto a packed train,  trying not to hit anyone with my backpacks.  I’ve got one on my back and another one on my front, so I’m a wide load.  I notice I’m the only Caucasian and the locals steal glances at me.  A young man chats with me and I find out he’s from China and has come to Seoul for five days to attend a concert so he can hold onto his fleeting youth as he’s recently turned thirty.  

“Good for you!  That sounds fun!  My youth is long gone so hang onto it as long as you can.” I tell him.

Three stops later, I disembark and find my hotel without incident.  It’s in a quiet alleyway and despite it not being late, the street is quiet.  No yelling, no honking horns, no sirens.  I have yet to see a piece of garbage on the streets or anywhere in the subway.  I’m exhausted after a long day of traveling and quickly unpack my bags before hopping in the shower.  Looking forward to exploring tomorrow.