Arrival

It is ten o'clock Friday night and the first moment I have had to take a moment and think.......We arrived in Toronto no problem. However our time there was fairly frustrating overall. We took a $135 return cab return to the Korean Consulate for a two minute interview consisting of four questions: what is your name, what is your address, what is your birthdate, what do you plan on doing in Korea. Thank goodness Al was able to answer correctly. The cab driver was quite a character, he decided to turn off his meter and take us on a tour of the very elite neighbourhoods of Toronto.

We had two bags that succeeded the weight restriction and had to pay $200 in Winnipeg and another $200 in Toronto. The Toronto airport remains unfriendly and offers little help. After following the directions and signs on the wall terminals we discovered they were incorrect and we had to go to another gate. We were also given two different views regarding overweight luggage and had to redistribute the weight of two bags before they were accepted in Toronto (after having been accepted in Winnipeg). The flight from Toronto to Seoul is direct with a short stopover in Vancouver. I didn't mind because it gives you a chance to walk after sitting for 5 hours and then for another 12 hours. The flight was uneventful. Al does not like airline food so he ate and drank almost nothing for the duration. The airport in Incheon is very modern, clean and well organized. Going through customs was very straight forward. We all had to fill out health questionaires and have temperatures checked before leaving the airport.

We were met at the airport and driven to the English Village (1.5 hour ride). From there we were greeted by a fellow from human resources and shown our accomodations. Our apartment is a one bedroom with a queen size bed and two closets; a bathroom (the tub is about four feet long) with a shower; a kitchen-dining area with a dining table and chairs, gas stove top, microwave and fridge. There is also a living room area with a television, couch and desk, coffee tables and bookshelves. There is air conditioning and a washing machine but no dryer (they use clothes hangers), We are on the second floor, there are no elevators. Our building has four apartments two of which are occupied at the moment.

Because it was already late evening when we arrived and we were tired we decided to try out the local English pub for a late supper. They were near closing time and the only thing left was one hamburger which we shared. The next morning Al couldn't eat anything because he had an appointment for a complete physical. We were then taken out for lunch at a small Korean restaurant where we ate something like tuna sushi and a bowl of rice, vegetables and a fried egg which you then mix with your chop sticks. With each meal you are always served a side dish of pickled cabbage, pickled radishes and often dill pickles. The Korean chopsticks are metal and very thin. You are also given a spoon to eat your rice. The food was delicious!

We were then taken on a tour of the english village, to the bank to open accounts and to the main office where Al was finger printed. Apparently he has to clock in via fingerprint imaging in and out of each work day and will lose a days pay if late more than three times. We were also taken out for dinner by another group to a very New York style restaurant where I had duck. The food in Korea is very good and very reasonably priced. Most of the staff here eat out because it is cheaper than cooking. The cost of fruits and vegetables however are very expensive. Most of the Koreans will plant gardens wherever there is space rather than grass.

The weather right now is UNBELIEVABLY hot and humid. It is like walking in to a wall when you arrive. It is not unusual to change your clothes twice a day. The people are young, pleasant, and very friendly. So far we have met people from Texas, Boston, New York and South Africa. Did I say they were YOUNG?

I will start taking pictures soon and learn how to download them onto my blog. I initially thought I would have no problem with jet lag but found mysel sleeping for three hours this afternoon and now I am wide awake. I will however try to go to bed and try to adjust to the time change. We are 14 hours ahead here.

Until next time, cheers, Heidie