The Airport World

I am here. I made it! After traveling from Brussels to Istanbul to Seoul, my inner clock is completely turned around, and I know, I know tomorrow I will be dead. But not yet. Today I am enjoying the airport world that is Incheon International Airport.

My flight landed this morning at 10 a.m. Because of pick-up scheduling, Fulbright is only picking all the ETAs up at 5 a.m tomorrow. So to save money, I decided to spend the night in Incheon. Uncomfortable, yes; but beneficial to my pocket book. I payed 15 dollars to have my luggage kept for me in a holding area and then, 70 lb lighter and accompanied by my trusty laptop, I decided to explore the airport. My km counter on my iPhone says I have walked over 5 km today. Not too unusual, except when you imagine those 5 km in an airport. On my adventure I discovered the ice rink hidden on the bottom floor of Incheon. Amazing! Later I stumbled across a movie theatre, and decided to stop in for a screening of the new Finding Dory movie. Not before eating dinner at one of the numerous restaurants on the 4th floor. While enjoying a very spicy dinner, I was serenaded by live piano and violin music, as the airport regularly entertains its guests with live performances, both modern and traditional.

The thing that impressed me most about Incheon was the attention given to educating visitors about the Korean culture. In only one day, I experienced traditional Korean music performances, saw exhibits of Korean art, and other activities. I think Incheon has the right idea, and more airports should make the effort to reach the travelers journeying through; thousands, and thousands every day. Many of us are only transferring to another flight, yet still, I think many travelers would like to learn about the country they are sojourning in.

Finally, drumroll please....

After an hour flight, a 10 hour flight, and a 3 hour layover in between, I have arrived in Seoul!!

The flight was uneventful, except for the flight attendants being extremely cordial, which in this day and age is quite an event in it's own right! :P
Incheon airport vaguely reminded me of DC, because of it's carpeted hallways. If you, dear reader, can't tell yet, then let me inform you that I haven't slept for 31 hours, and so my thoughts (and writing) are rather non coherent! :)
So instead of boring the world with my writing, I will let these first pictures of Seoul speak for themselves.

My first glimpse of a Korean skyline, coming from Incheon Airport

Night life in front of the University's main gate. The stores, the stores!! I can't wait to spend money!! hihihi

Ewha or 이화여자대학고, my home for the next 4 months.