Day Two

Dear friends,

To sum up day number two is, jet lag. Boy oh boy was this a major factor of how i spent my day. Like i said i had trouble getting asleep on the plane, and i knew i was going to need to crash as the time i got here, it was bed time back home. I knew i need at least rest for two hours, so then i could spend the rest of the day doing something. I ended up sleeping for 3 hours, and then not getting up to much, but I’m jumpin ahead.

To rewind things back, i landed and i was like I’m here, now lets get into the country. I was sent the wrong way by airport staff, as i was sent to go an catch another flight, when i wanted to go through immigration. By the time i had realised where i was going, i turned back and the que had doubled. It seemed like a lot of flights had gotten in at the same time. But while i waited i informed people of my arrival and just waiting to get into the country.

While i was waiting i did once again notice being the only man of colour waiting for entry. this time i knew i was being started at. Mostly because a lot of people waiting inline where people coming from other Asian counties, so I knew i was something special to them. It makes me think a lot of them were thinking, whats he here for? But never mind.

After getting my fingers scanned and my picture taken, i was allowed entry into the country. Then i had to figure out the large baggage claim, and of course my flight was at the other end of the hall, and when i got there saw my bag was already off the carrasell, which i was thankful no one had taken it. Then pushing my way past the mutilange assistant robot, yes there was robot speaking ever language saying it was there to help. Already i was thinking, where the hell am i?

As soon as i was into the main hall of the airport i was approached by a man asking me if i wanted a taxi, i new better than get into a car when i didn’t ask for, so go smart FabEs. I quickly went to the convirnve storet to get something to drink, and my T-Money card, there quilivant of an Oyster card but it does much more, but more later.

I eventully found out where i was meant to go and found my way down into the sub basement to find my train to Seoul after getting complex perplexed about where i should be going, i found an information dresk, where i was impressed with the woman’s ability to speak Japanese, then Korean the English when i spoke. She told where i had to go, and then i bought my ticket, made my way down to where no one moved out of my way even thought i was carring big luggage, (so its the same every wher). I was amused by the funny safety information characters, then made my way on the express train which was so nice and spaceous.

Another thing that made me realise i was in another world, was the conductor. It was a woman, and when she entered or exited the carriage doors she would bow, and for a second i was like what? But then there I remembered where i was that it was a sing of respect for using the service.

Once at soul station i found my way to transfer to line 4 which was the line I had to catch the subway to my station, after i figured out how i needed to transfers as my ticket didn’t allow me to, i made my way down, and once again got confused where i was going, but figured it out, and found out i was going four stops.

The subway was also something i was amazaerd by, it makes the tube look terrible. The space is great, the line i was had screens telling you the stations, and also telling you which way to get off. I was aware of the looks i was getting, but at this point i had become used to the odd looks. Towards the end of the journey i was stranding, and when an old woman got off, she poked me in the side said something in korean and pointed me to sit down. First of all i was shocked, and surprised i had heard from blogs that the older generation can be a bit racist, but she seemed to be fine, as she did do this with a smile. It made me feel accepted and i did what she told me, as you respect your elders. After one more stop i was my stop Singyonsng.

Finding the exit was easy, up a flight or stairs, the out of the barriers, then finding the exit you need it the hard part. As i had found out the subways in Seoul can have up 8 diffrent exits. Which all lead to different parts of the place your in. Just like Oxford Circus, which is kinda cool, but it difficult going the exit i need with out exsculators and just cilmbing stairs.

Eventully i was out and thanks to memorising the pictures i knew where the apartment was. I walked pass the man at the desk, hit the lift and went up to 10th floor. I found the door, but then came my next problem, the door code didnt work. This building uses door codes, and since I wasn’t clever enought to print out the code or put it into my phone i could remember how to get in. I knew it was the date i arrived but that didn’t work. Eventully i remembered what i had to put after it, and then i was let in.

The room is great a perfect size for the price, not much of a view, but it suits me just fine, its what I would like my first home to look a little bit like, but with an oven. After i checked out everything got the WiFi working i was all set to see what this was like.

I checked the TV and it became clear to me that i know what too much about Korean idols and actors, as when i turned the tv on i knew someone in the show that was on, and it went like that when i flicking trough channels, he’s off XYZ thats Monsta X promoting that. I knew so much about the celebrities, that i dont even know the ones back home.

I showered, but on my fresh set of Pjs and decided to sleep, and boy did it feel so good to sleep. I planned to sleep for 2 hours get up and then do something. I slept for 3 but didnt get out and doing anything for another hour, because i felt so out of it and now sure that to do.

I decided i need to go and get some for for me to eat in the appartment while i was staying. In my handbook said there was a supermarket round the corner. But seeing as i couldnt making out all the roads on the maps I didn’t know where to go. So I went to my good friend google, and it was piece of shit. It told me i had to get a train or taxi to around the corner, and couldn’t find a route for walking.

This was fantastic of course, because this meant i was going to get more lost ever where i was going to go, so great. But i was thanks for citymapper, as that told me how to get there, even though it took me the wrong way, and the long way to find this supermarket. I did find where it was meant to be, and like I fool i followed the app when in fact i had passed it. Then when i had past it it was telling me i was going the right way, then suddenly i was wasnt. Maybe cos i was tired it could have been me, but i knew it was the app.

I did find the big mall, which had the H&M and Zara in it, but i could see the super market. I cam out and looked for it again, and checked the map it said was right next to it. It turns out the supermarket is in the basement two floors downs, because why wouldn’t it be?

I walked around and found the funniest thing i had seen. They have an imported section which they call fine imports, its Waitrose stuff, but the value range of Waitrose stuff. I could help but laugh as people think this is quality its not even the best stuff that they do, but i guess ignorance is bliss.

After i got back, I made myself some ramen, and had some of the Cheetos i had got, and was like okay, where do i. Want to go now, turns out i was going to bed. As i started to finish my day two, i was falling alseep at the table, and 8pm here. Eventully i decided i was in not state to go any where so I weren’t to bed at 10. Where I spelt till 3, then went back a sleep again till the next day.

I know this has been a long one i will try and keep the next ones shorter. So what did day 3 have for me? See you next time.

Xo FabEs