Day 1, Korea

Day 1. Korea

July 22nd, 2009 by ChinaChao

Prelim. In an attempt to not have full blown jet lag (13 hour time difference/Florida and Korea), I did not sleep today. Well, I slept between 7 and 9 (my Atlanta flight duration). I did also wake up at around 2pm the day before (you know, job-free. It happens). Then I slept through out my 16 hour plane ride from Atlanta to Incheon. I flew Delta and it was indeed a pleasant trip experience. In 1st/Business class they had those sleeping pods! Delta had plenty of new release (and other) movies along with tv shows, but they charged $2 for Sex and the City! You each get your own tv attached to the head rest of the person in front of you, so no need to be not picky! Delta also offered 2 meals, a sandwich and about 3 snacks and lots of drinks following each snack and throughout the trip. Gee, thank God Spirit doesn’t fly International! I sat next to a very nice and talkative gentleman, Rich, which made a heck of a difference for the duration and enjoyment of my flight! The other Korea girl sitting at the window seat (I sat middle), I don’t think she even got up once to pee or got up for that matter. The stewardess gave us 3 forms to fill out prior to landing in Korea. All either about duty free, your health condition, reason for visiting, or contact information, etc. and were to be collected at customs, security, etc.

My first thoughts after exiting those doors… you know after the fearful “where is my luggage” scare, customs, security, bathrooms, etc. etc. was currency, call the camp coordinator (”boss”) and HOW am I suppose to call him again?? OH yes and thank you TMobile because even though you informed me that it would be $2 per minute in Korea you some how FAILED to mention that Korea works on CDMA network and you are GSM. So WHY did you even tell me it’s $2 per minute when you CANNOT even get the phone to WORK?! Uh huh. Perhaps I should give them a heads up but even as was UPCIC, it shall be futile junky POCI (piece of crap information). Yes, I just made that up.

I got 61,350 won for $50 at a 1209 won rate per US $1. Hell, it was better than the 1104 they offered at the Atlanta airport currency exchange booth. Then after realizing that 350 won on a pay phone for about 2 minutes (which is real B.S) is really about 29 cents (I take the B.S. back), I felt pretty silly. Guess I’m still adjusting to the hundreds and thousands of won. I finally decided to get a rental cell phone at SK. It was pending to be charged on a credit card (should have carried Visa. They get some discount) at a rate of 3000 ($2.41) won for the first 10 days, 2000 ($1.61) won through the next 20 days and finally, 1000 ($.81) won after 31 days. It’s free incoming and 100 won per every 10 sec. which is about $.49 a minute (ouch but at least it’s by per 10 sec and not rounded up to the next minute like the States). That’s about $61 to rent it for 35 days… oh crap I miscalculated before. Boo… this does NOT include how much you talk outgoing at 8 cents per 10 seconds. Dude, do they have prepaid phones or did I just get jipped?

I took a 8,000 rmb ride from Incheon Airport (ICN) to Madu bus station. I must have rode for about 45 min. non-stop so for $6.43, it was cheaper than a 15 min. ride to the Vegas strip by bus ($8). When I finally got picked up and almost settled, I did notice that they gave my driver friend, Allan, a bottle of cold water while they pumped his (car). And WHO SAID Vegas was a service industry giant? They even gave me some free disinfectant wipes at SK phone rental.

Settle in, blah blah blah. Typical dorm style room. Two twin beds. Two computer/study desks. One bathroom which was seriously the only real notable topic of the day as there is no bathtub for the shower. Just a curtain and ONE bathroom floor connecting EVERYTHING. Apparently, it just drains into the holes by the sink (which is only about one feet away from the shower anyways). Guess the Koreans don’t pee while they take their shower! OR DO THEY? Dun dun dun sound effect! =P